Today was the Jackson show and I'm not talking about the dead pop-star that still looms over every single 24-hour TV news station. Jackson, one of the boys from the South Lincoln Bridge Project, has been one of the kids that I've focused most of my attention on this week. He has some issues and they showed on the first day but I was determined to get him in the right mind set to listen to the teachers, coaches and volunteers because I knew that he was unbelievably smart and gifted behind his hard and defensive exterior shell. Today he really shined through in my mind.
The combination of key positive reinforcement and some self confidence really made a difference in his attitude today. On the ice he scored, as he put it "three hat tricks," in the second ice session alone. Off the ice he transformed his anger and frustration into competitive motivation to have fun and excel during dry land training. One minute he sneaked in to kiss one of the female teenage volunteers on the cheek and the next he was ripping off his shirt and racing like Usain Bolt during the relay races. Afterward he proceeded to do a front flip, twice.
However, without a doubt my favorite change has been his verbal responses on the ice. "YES COACH," he yells whenever anyone asks him to do anything. This is huge in my mind as it shows that he understands that listening to the coaches and volunteers will only better his experience. It shows because he is clearly one of the more talented kids out there.
I've really enjoyed working with him during the week and seeing the positive change it has had on him, his attitude and those around him.
Friday is the big game at 2:15PM in Magness Arena at the Ritchie Center on the University of Denver campus and I encourage all of you to come out and support these kids. They have worked hard all week and they deserve it.
-JCE
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