Independence Middle School students recently had the opportunity to hear from motivational speaker Brad Hurtig, whose powerful message of resilience left a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.
On February 26, Brad shared his personal story of perseverance. As a high school student-athlete in Northwest Ohio, a tragic accident just days after his sophomore year resulted in the amputation of both of his hands. Rather than allowing the accident to define him, Brad made the decision to push forward. Through determination and relentless effort, he returned to the football field and, in his senior year, led his team’s defense with 111 tackles, earning all-state honors.
Today, Brad travels the country sharing his life-changing “Find A Way®” message, encouraging students to focus on what they can control, their attitude, effort, and response to challenges. His message to IMS students was simple yet powerful: “If there is a will, you will find a way.”
Students were engaged and reflective throughout the presentation. Brad challenged them to think about how they respond when faced with adversity and reminded them that obstacles do not define them, their response does. His story reinforced the importance of perseverance, mindset, and personal responsibility both inside and outside the classroom.
“We chose Brad because his message reflects what it means to be a Blue Devil,” said Principal Haley Mueller. “Resilience, perseverance, and character matter. ‘If there is a will, you will find a way’ aligns with the values we teach every day…showing PRIDE, facing challenges with courage, and never giving up.”
A special thank you to the Independence Middle School PTO for making this meaningful experience possible. Their continued support helps provide impactful opportunities that inspire and empower our students.