Video: Jimmy Spithill Speaks To School Students
Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill addressed a school assembly at T.N. Tatem Middle School on Monday morning [Nov 28], the first of eight visits the team will make covering each of the public schools on the island.
T.N. Tatem has recently taken part in the America’s Cup Endeavour program with over 130 middle school students learning about STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math] curriculum subjects in the context of sailing and taking to the waters of Bermuda’s Great Sound to put the theory into practice. As well, the students have sessions on health, physical education and nutrition from Oracle Team USA experts.
“The America’s Cup Endeavour program is all about education and experience,” Spithill said. “Now, being able to go around and check in with the schools in Bermuda, talk to them about the America’s Cup and our personal experiences and lessons learned as we developed as athletes and people, is a great opportunity for us.”
Spithill, who grew up on an island outside Sydney, Australia, told the T.N. Tatem students about some of the lessons he learned on the way to becoming the youngest skipper in history to win the America’s Cup.
“First of all, don’t let anyone tell you can’t do anything,” he said. “Dream big. For me, the America’s Cup was my dream, but whatever your dream is, believe that you can do it.
“Secondly, there’s no shortcut. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to achieve your goal. Whether it’s in sport, or in life, working hard and being prepared sets you up for success. You’ve all experienced that already. The test that you studied hardest for, or the sport where you practiced more before the big game, those were the ones where you were more successful.”
Spithill went on to speak about the importance of teamwork, pointing out that Oracle Team USA has over 80 people on its team, only 6 of whom will sail in a race.
The support from the rest of the team is a critical factor to the success of the team. He urged the students to work together to achieve their goals.
For the second consecutive school year, Oracle Team USA will visit all eight public middle schools in Bermuda, speaking at school assemblies. The team also hosts America’s Cup Endeavour students at its base every Friday morning, teaching the kids about health, physical fitness and nutrition.
Last week, Oracle Team USA completed a handover of a second batch of 15 refurbished Optimist dinghies. In total, the team has now brought 30 Optimist dinghies, rescued from the scrap heap in various states of disrepair, up to ‘better than new’ condition, and donated them to local programs in support of youth sailing and education.
“We’re so appreciative of the welcome we’ve had since we’ve moved to Bermuda,” Spithill said. “For us, this is way to give back by contributing to youth education and sailing programs alongside America’s Cup Endeavour.”
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Real class shown by Mr. Spithill.
Shame we can’t say the same for those ‘teachers’ that took the day off as ‘sick’. My employer would fire anybody caught doing that.
Took the day off? You mean are protesting the conditions of the school that government refuses to give attention to, meanwhile over $70 million dollars has been allocated for this boat race. Disgusting!
“this boat race” You are the epitome of Bermudian ignorance.
You dont even know the whole story ! Kids are getting really sick and so are teachers! I stand behind them I guess you wouldnt get it ur kids not getting sick like ours! (If you even have any) Its easy to judge when your not dealing with the issue !
Would your employer make you go to work in a mouldy cubicle?
This is a wonderful example of an athlete sharing the gift of their story with our Bermuda youth.
It was so nice of Mr. Spithill to follow through with his speaking engagement in spite of the staffing disruption that day.
Bermuda has a rare opportunity to be so involved with Americas Cup and the AC35 teams are clearly willing to help out, share and contribute on a regular basis.
May his words inspire our youth.
Thank you AC35!
So I see smiling happy children: engaged with what Jimmy is saying!
Please leave Politics at the door- AC is fantastic opportunity for Bermuda if for nothing else but opening the eyes of Bermudian’s. There is a huge world out there that is waiting to be explored.
Leave politics at the door? The school is in desperate need of repairs! Why do you want us to turn a blind eye because the speaker represents the AC? Such hypocrites!
Isn’t it ironic that the school that is being neglected is being spoken to by one of the people participating in the rich man’s sport that took funds from the education department.
Speak on teamwork all you want, it won’t fix the mold problem.
You are too ill informed to be commenting on this.