Goal getters

PICTOU - It would be tough to find a guest speaker more dynamic - and mobile - than Olympic wrestler Corey Robinson.
Robinson, part of the ESTEEM TEAM, was at Pictou Academy on Tuesday to give a lively talk on goal-setting.
Circulating through the auditorium and using dramatic gestures and expressions, Robinson told the students goals have to be well thought out.
"It's about how smart you set your goals."
He related the story of being inspired by a book on Roger Bannister, the first man to break the four-minute mile. From that book Robinson learned that 'dreams are just goals with deadlines.'
Robinson eventually met Bannister at a sport banquet in Calgary and, following an exchange with the runner, Robinson came to the realization that people who have reached goals can provide food for thought and insight.
"Do not be afraid to go and do it. What rubs off from these people can be so profound. It's amazing."
He added that setting goals and measuring progress is key to success with goals.
"If you set goals realistically and wholeheartedly go after it …. Sometimes the simplest things are what get you the biggest things in terms of goals."
Robinson gave a more recent example of not taking things for granted. He was in El Salvador for an international wrestling competition and gave his last stick of gum to a young boy begging outside the airport. Nine days later when he was back at the airport leaving the competition, Robinson saw the same kid. The boy called 'Canada, Canada, Canada' and pulled the piece of gum from his mouth.
"I just lost it, I'm laughing," Robinson told the students.
Later, he gave it more thought.
"I couldn't get this kid out of my head. I started to really reflect about this guy .… What was insignificant to us (a stick of gum), was huge to him."
Robinson said that little boy taught him the value of taking nothing for granted.
"Give and give and then give again and do it again and things could happen. It's a ripple effect. One small goal reaches out to achieve big huge goals…It's all about taking action and doing it now."
Robinson and his dynamic presentation was in town because Grade 12 student Danielle Cyr is a go-getting goal-setter who leads the school's Hoops for Heart program which raises funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Pictou Academy has raised more money per capita than any other school in the region, said principal Jim Ryan.
Cyr was recognized for her efforts and won a visit from Robinson for PA.
Shannon MacLean, program co-ordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation said Cyr is her point of contact at Pictou Academy and she's the one who goes to lengths to plan the event.
"She is an exceptional leader in the community. That is why she won."

Robinson the wrestler:
• Robinson said the ESTEEM TEAM is made up of 80 to 90 Olympic and national-level athletes who talk to students about goals and being active.
• Robinson has worked with the team since 1994.
• He was an alternate on the Canadian wrestling team for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
• Originally from Edmonton, Robinson has lived in Hubbards for the past six years and runs the provincial wrestling program and works with the national team.