Hoops and tips to succeed in school and life

What can you learn from a women who feeds a student chocolate pudding as a basketball spins on the end of the spoon? Our Middle School students discovered that you can learn a lot—that is when the women is basketball showman and motivational speaker Ilze Luneau.

Ilze spent an hour in the high school gym on the first day of school, amazing our middle school students as she juggled and spun basketballs. Throughout her presentation, she shared the lessons she has learned as a competitor and in everyday life.

"We want this morning to be a fun, exciting way to bring everyone together on the first day of school and to learn important character lessons at the same time," said Middle School Principal Mrs. Donovan as the program was about to begin.

Exciting was a fitting description. Ilze spun basketballs on her fingers, on a water bottle, on a long stick in her mouth, and even on the fingers of student volunteers. She dribbled behind her back and between her legs and then proceeded to dribble as many as six balls at the same time.

Ilze was born in Latvia, when it was still a part of the Soviet Union. At nine years old, she began playing basketball and ultimately played for a Soviet national youth team. When Latvia gained its full independence from Soviet rule in 1991, Ilze emigrated to the United States and became an All-American basketball player for the College of St. Rose. She earned a degree in finance and international business and later received her MBA from SUNY, Albany. She is a wife, the mother of three children, and a motivational speaker. She has performed with her husband and two older daughters at NBA, WNBA, and college halftime shows.

Among the lessons he shared:

• Set goals. Goals give you something to aim for and they keep you from wasting time. A student's main goal has to be to do well in school.

• Find something you love doing and do it.

• Have fun, even when you are working hard.

• Don't give up. Don't let others discourage you from doing those things you love.

• Maintain balance. Mastering your favorite sport, instrument, or hobby must be a balanced part of your day that will include school, homework, and household chores.

• Say NO to drugs and alcohol. They interfere with your ability to perform at your peak and will damage your body over time.