Students at James Madison High School enjoyed a surprise motivational speaker on Monday afternoon: Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., the Platinum-selling rapper and actor better known as T.I.
Harris told students how three pieces of advice— stay in school, stay out of trouble, and say no to drugs—can seriously impact their futures.
“In your day-to-day to life, these things can determine whether or not you are living the way you’d like to live, or if you’re living the way you’re forced to live,” Harris said.
Harris told students that to be successful, they have to work harder and with more focus than almost everyone else.
Madison Principal Gayle Ferguson Smith said Harris’ speech was part of the school’s effort to get students “life ready.”
Trustee Bernadette Nutall and John Koutsakis, aka J-Kruz, from 97.9 The Beat also spoke at the assembly.
Watch the above video to see the moment when Madison students learned the identity of the assembly’s secret guest.
