Elmsford's AHHS Students Urged to Make Wise Choices

From left, Pat Shouvlin of the USAYO Eastern Division, Athletic Director Rob Pollok and Dr. Kevin Gillen of the Ridgeway Church in White Plains.

There’s more to life than simply excelling in sports and academics, students at AHHS learned last week.

In a special assembly held in the Alexander Hamilton Jr./Sr. High School auditorium, Pastor Dr. Kevin Gillen of the Ridgeway Church in White Plains and Pat Shouvlin of the USAYO Eastern Division urged students to believe in themselves and to make the right choices in life.

The speakers were invited to the Elmsford Union Free School District by Athletic Director Rob Pollock.

“Having a skill doesn’t equal success without motivation and perseverance and confidence, but that’s only two dimensions,” Dr. Gillen said. “There’s a third dimension, and that’s your heart.”

The danger of creating an identity centered purely on athletics or on one’s academic ability is not enough, they said.

“You could be the greatest athlete but someday your sport is going to end.” Dr. Gillen added.

Many professional athletes “crumble and their lives fall apart” when they retire, Dr. Gillen noted. For those who acquire a certain level of education, even a Ph.D., the same holds true, he said.

Having a plan beyond such accomplishments is key, both men said.

Mr. Shouvlin, who played football for Brown University and earned Connecticut All-State honors as a quarterback, told the students that one’s identity is more than a good grade or how well they do on the football field.

“Life is about making choices,” he said.

Recalling his own decision to play football, Mr. Shouvlin said he initially made that decision based out of a fear of failure.

“When it became a motivation of love, it became a joy,” he said. “I wasn’t going to worry about my performance or whether I won or lost.”

Mr. Shouvlin told the students if they know who they truly are, that is the key.