Source: Springfield Sun
Date: November 26, 2009
Byline: Amanda Glensky
Ring Day
Take on challenges, be ambitious, and the benefits are great if you invest a lot into your time at Springfield Township High School, Greg Heller, Class of 1999, told juniors at their annual class Ring Day reception Nov. 20.
"It was at Springfield that I first learned that I could do whatever I put my mind to," the featured speaker said. "Whatever you do, don't get stuck in the comfortable and familiar. Go outside your comfort zone and seek out new and different experiences, then when you find something that you love, that you find rewarding, go for it. Don't let anybody tell you 'no.'"
Heller, 28, is the managing director of the Enterprise Center Community Development Corp. in Philadelphia. His lengthy resume includes co-founding a nonprofit organization, a place on the board of Philadelphia's largest family homeless shelter, book deals, leadership and academic recognition and affiliation with various planning projects throughout Philadelphia.
He graduated in 2004 from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with high honors.
Heller attributes much of his success to his junior year at Springfield, when he figured himself out a little bit, he told juniors.
By the time he began senior year, Heller had changed from his "pretty quiet and anti-social" self and got involved in a variety of school activities: co-editor of the school newspaper, vice president of student council, performing arts, technology and sports.
"I worked hard in my junior and senior years of high school, and I loved every minute of it, because I learned how rewarding it is to take on challenges, overcome them, and give back to my school and community while expanding my own horizons," he said.
One of the most formative experiences of his high school career was running for student council, a race everyone said he wouldn't win because it was a popularity contest.
Heller beat the "coolest kid in my class" by challenging his classmates to vote for the person who would best represent them.
He also told them success comes from focusing on personal triumphs, not on failures.
"I thought the speech was good. It was very informative and inspirational," Scott Viernick, president of the junior class, said after Heller's remarks.
"We've been planning this for a long time. It's really come together nicely."
In addition to Heller's remarks, students shared a lunch and received their preordered class rings and class T-shirts.
"It was a really good speech. I think the whole point of putting in what you get out is true," Sam Kennedy, a junior, said.
"It's true, whatever group you're in in high school, it doesn't matter. You can do what you put your mind to," her friend Victoria Holt added.
Heller said he was honored to return to his alma mater as featured speaker for Junior Ring Day.
"Springfield was really formative for me and so to be able to come back here and tell this year's junior class what I learned in high school and my after high school experience was really very meaningful for me," he said while eating lunch with student leaders after his remarks.
"I think looking back it was really the quality of the teachers here. This school is really blessed to have such quality faculty."