Only six weeks stand between students in the Castle Country, and the coveted summer vacation. University of Utah and Brigham Young University football coaches Kyle Whittingham and Kalani Sitaki offered words of encouragement to Castle Heights Elementary students, reminding them to finish strong.
As the school year continues to inch closer to an end, students will participate in the Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence, or SAGE. A test that lines up to the state’s core education standards in what amounts to be roughly three weeks of testing.
“I’m not in the classroom with them, so what I decided to do was put together an assembly to help motivate the kids,” said Castle Heights Elementary Principal Chris Winfree. “I actually sent an email to Kyle Whittingham and Kalani Sitake. Both coaches sent back videos talking to the kids about testing, working hard and not giving up.”
Winfree began to collect videos that he believed would motivate the kids to tackle the SAGE tests with a fully determined attitude. Wanting to add celebrity input to the assembly, he reached out to the University of Utah and BYU asking for some words of wisdom to share with the students.
What Winfree received was more than he ever could have asked for. Both Whittingham and Sitake delivered personalized messages to the students encouraging them not to quit, and to finish strong.
“It was the highlight of the assembly. It was at the very end when these two men, who are significant in the eyes of these kids, spoke directly to them,” Winfree said. “It wasn’t some generic thing that I pulled off of the internet. Instead, it was these two great men talking to my kids at Castle Heights.”
A two minute pre-produced video featuring narration of motivational tactics and Utah football highlights played before the climatic ending. After a slight pause with a blank screen, the gym filled with elementary students received a big surprise.
“Hello Castle Heights Elementary, this Kyle Whittingham, head football coach for the University of Utah,” said Whittingham as he appeared on the screen. “Early in my career I actually coached right here at the College of Eastern Utah, and remember having a lot of stress and challenges because I was such a young, inexperienced coach. At that point in time someone gave me some advice about believing in myself, and if I put my mind to it, I could do anything.”
As Whittingham’s message continued for roughly 35-seconds, he reminded the students the importance of confidence. “I want to encourage each and everyone of you to remember, you are stronger than you think. So keep working hard and believe in yourself. I know you can do it, and I believe in you.”
Moments later the students were treated to another surprise; a personalized motivational talk from Sitake.
“What’s going on Castle Heights Elementary? This is Kalani Sitake, head coach at BYU,” said the second year coach from his office on campus. “I hear you guys are going through three weeks of testing, which sounds like a lot of fun. Go throughout it, and make it work. Although it may be hard, you got to overcome it. The toughest people in life are the ones that just keep going.”
Sitake continued during the one minute video by adding humor to the importance of learning in the classroom. “Learn as much as you can in school, because when you become an old man like me your looks begin to fade and all you have is your smarts. Good luck to you guys in Price, and I want to send you my love.”
Winfree added that the kids loved the messages, and now believes there is a new-found enthusiasm to end the school year. The students will test for nearly four weeks, and wrap up SAGE testing the second week of May.