StandUp & Choose! Tour
Virtually. Life-changing.Inspiring middle school students to StandUp and lead
by making positive choices – and to respect themselves and others.
This video offers a glimpse of the StandUp and Choose! Tour and its impact in schools.
Your message really seemed to resonate with our students. In my 18 years here, I do not remember so visceral a reaction to an assembly.”
487 students were surveyed after attending the StandUp & Choose! Tour assembly
%
are more aware of how their actions affect others
%
can recognize the difference between healthy and un-healthy relationships
%
better understand how having goals can positively impact their choices
%
are more aware of how their choice of friends can influence their future
Mary Dreliszak
StandUp & Choose! Tour Founder and Host
It’s an honor to present life-changing assemblies with such a courageous cast of speakers. Together, we’re inspiring hope. We’re breaking the stigma of mental health support. And we’re creating a culture of kindness and respect in schools.
The StandUp & Choose! Tour empowers students with coping skills so they can be strong from the inside, out. Now with virtual and customized presentations, we’re taking it to the next level – so that kids everywhere can too.
Lauren Gross
Behavioral Health Professional, Choreographer, Coping and Confidence Speaker
Mary Sampey
Faith Formation Leader, Drug Prevention Advocate, Healthy Mind and Body Champion
Ethan Keedy
Survivor of Father’s Suicide, Life Advocate, Entrepreneur, Future President
Scott Fichter
Educator, Entrepreneur, Fitness Instructor, Positive Hip Hop Messenger
Daynelle Sanner
Love Life Foundation Chair, Fitness Instructor, Competitive Trail and Obstacle Athlete
Sarah Schimansky
Musician, Youth Mentor, Positive Self Image Advocate
Eric Johnson
Pastor, Army Veteran, Retired Corrections Officer, Personal Trainer, Survivor
Justice Greer
Anti-Bullying Advocate, Actor, Bullied Overcomer
Blakeley Herrilko
Future Educator, Theater Company Leader, Self-Love Advocate
“I learned to believe in myself. I learned to make good life choices. It was a very moving assembly. I wanted to cry so many times! It taught me to not be so hard on myself. I have a voice, and dreams. I am, and always will be, unapologetically, me.
-Allison, Connellsville Area Middle School
Bring the StandUp & Choose! Tour to your school!
Contact Mary at 724-984-0860 or Mary@MaryMotivates.com to make it happen!
Serving as the host in both productions, Mary engages students and gives an empowering message on bullying. Joining her are:
- Lauren Gross, a behavioral health professional, speaking on coping and confidence in 1.0 and 2.0.
- Daynelle Sanner, chair of the Love Life Foundation in memory of Jarrett Hutton, sharing inspirational art and messages of hope. In 2.0, she returns and joins Scott Fichter, an educator and an underdog who inspires students to overcome obstacles. They share their stories with positive messages and Hip Hop student engagement.
- Justice Greer and Sarah Schimansky, telling how they gained a healthier perspective of themselves and changed their response to bullying in both presentations.
- Mary Sampey, courageously sharing the story of her sister’s heroin overdose death. In 1.0, she encourages students to seek counseling support for emotional issues and in 2.0 continues the conversation on healthy relationships and why they matter.
- Ethan Keedy, delivering his powerful and personal story of rising above his father’s suicide to make positive choices in his life. In 2.0, Ethan returns to focus on how having goals impacted the choices he made and his ability to overcome.
- Blakeley Herrilko, sharing how the journey to reaching her dreams was stopped by bullying – only that is, until she learned to start loving herself. With humor and joy in both presentations, Blakeley inspires students to do the same.
- Eric Johnson, serving as a voice of hope to those with no support system. The pastor and retired corrections officer grew up in an inner city neighborhood and knows first-hand the consequences of wrong choices. He joins 2.0 on video and live to provide inspiration, motivation, and love.
Mary’s high energy, interactive approach – along with her co-presenters – create an unforgettable experience. Are you ready to create a culture of respect at your school and impact the lives of students? To learn more about bringing a virtual presentation to your school or to book the StandUp & Choose! Tour!, contact Mary at 724-984-0860 or at Mary@MaryMotivates.com.
