“Bring Your ‘A’ Game” at MHS

MINFORD, Ohio — On May 20, BMX bikers flipped and jumped Friday morning in the Minford High School gym, reaching daring heights in an effort to inspire students to pursue their dreams.

Sponsored by the Army National Guard, the “Bring Your ‘A Game’ to School” event was a high-energy, high-flying BMX demonstration that entertained both the students and the staff while inspiring them with positive messages to be the best they can be.

The AGA Nation BMX riders performed daring leaps and stunts, jumping over student volunteers and administration, but the Army National Guard-sponsored event also delivered important messages to help students put into action what it takes to be successful.

Bringing Your ‘A Game’ means:

• Alliance – Forge the right friendships; run with the right crowd.

• Attitude – Bring a positive mental attitude every day to family, friends, work and school.

• Authentic – Never sell out; be your own person.

• Ability – Maximize your ability to the fullest. Enjoy a variety interests and be well-rounded.

• Active – Keep fit, exercise, stay off the sofa, and be part of a team.

• Anti-bullying – Treat others as you want to be treated. Establish an environment of acceptance, tolerance and respect.

• Achieve – Reach your goals every day in life, schoolwork, athletics and family.

“It was really nice event that helped students and teachers relax at the end of the year, I really enjoyed it,” said Student Abby Pennington.

Jeff Pica, the Minford High School principal, participated in a stunt performed by the AGA Nation BMX team. Pica was invited to sit in a chair on top of the ramps while, Allen Adams, a member of AGA Nation, jumped over him. If that wasn’t enough to make him nervous, Adams re-performed the stunt, this time back-flipping over Pica’s head.

“These guys are professionals, they’re great,” said Pica, “I knew that he knew what he was doing, but it’s still a little freaky when they’re jumping over you and you see the wheels flying.”

The riders relate their ability to successfully execute difficult and seemingly impossible BMX tricks with the characteristics and values the student’s need for success in life.

At the end of the assembly, Pica addressed the students.

“When you see something like this, you see the finished product. You don’t see all the work that goes into it. When these guys started out, they didn’t start with these huge ramps, they started small,” explained Pica. “When you’re here at school and you’re looking at your future, a lot of times you don’t think about what it takes to get there. You guys can do whatever you want. The practice time that they put into this, is equivalent to the time that you put into whatever you want to do, whether that be work or college, if you work hard and practice, you can be the best.”

The “Bring Your ‘A Game’ to School” message fits in with the Army National Guard’s core values where the soldiers bring their ‘A Game’ through loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage to serve their communities and the Nation.

BMX rider and MC for the event, Corey Yarbrough said, “The crowd was great, they were really into it. Sometimes when you come to high schools, the kids don’t really know what to expect. They see the ramps and they’re like ‘are they going to be any good? Are they gonna do anything cool?’ At the beginning of the show they’re usually pretty quiet and towards the end they’re always into it. It’s really cool for us. We love to do this whether anyone is watching or not. To get a bunch of people pumped on what we love to do is a really good feeling. It was great.”

Vice Principal Tate Skinner held a live stream of the event from his Facebook page, ‘Tate Skinner – MHS Vice Principal’ and it is still available if you would like to watch the event and stunts.

You can also see highlights from the event on The Daily Times Facebook page.

For more information about the Ohio Army National Guard, please contact the recruiters office at 740-353-1478

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Principal Jeff Pica being backflipped over by AGA Nation’s Allen Adams.
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/05/web1_Mr-Pica-Gettin-Jumped-1.jpgPrincipal Jeff Pica being backflipped over by AGA Nation’s Allen Adams. Ciara Conley

AGA Nation BMX stunt riders perform at Minford High School
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/05/web1_BMX-Riders-1.jpgAGA Nation BMX stunt riders perform at Minford High School Ciara Conley
The Army National Guard and AGA Nation BMX sponsor “Bring Your ‘A’ Game”event at MHS

By Ciara Conley

[email protected]

Reach Ciara Conley at 740-353-3101 ext 1932 or via Twitter @PDT_Ciara and Facebook, “Ciara Conley – Daily Times”

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