REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The senior Army officer in Alabama visited local middle and high schools April 17.
General Dennis L. Via, Commander, Army Materiel Command spoke to more than 1,000 students across three different schools. Via visited 500 6th -- 8th graders at Guntersville Middle School; 450 junior and seniors at Hartselle High School; and more than 60 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets at Austin High School in Decatur, Ala.
Via spoke to the students about the importance of focusing on education, and the importance of teachers. "I credit my teachers on where I am today," he told the assembled students. "Teachers are special people. Every day they come to work investing in your success. Education is so important for our lives and our nation. You represent the future, so take your education seriously."
He also told the students to set high goals for themselves, and to work hard and stay focused.
"The most important thing is to believe in yourself," Via told the students. "If someone tells you you can't do something, ignore them."
Students at each location asked Via questions, and were able to interact with the PEO Aviation Unmanned Aerial Systems Project Office team, who travelled with the CG with a Raven UAV and trainer for the presentations.
While Via spent a little time relating his education experiences to the students, he ensured he focused primarily on the attendee's futures. "It is about you, your future. What do you want to do? In this great country, you can do anything you want to do. It all starts with the decisions you make here," Via said.
At the first school visit in Guntersville, Via was met by six 8th grade student ambassadors who were selected for their academic and leadership skills.
"His presentation kind of inspired me and helped me see you can do whatever you want," said Josh VanZandt, an 8th grader at Guntersville. A fellow 8th grader at Guntersville, Nick Hester, said "He's a good example. He's very humble and down to earth."
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