Devin Boulanger, Reporter
Photo by Matthew Sisser
On March 27, students of all grades poured into the auditorium to listen to speaker Chris Herren, former professional basketball player whose career was derailed by heroin use. At this assembly, Mr. Herren discussed the dangers of the first night trying drugs or alcohol, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the slippery slope that drugs cause.
Mr. Herren was a professional basketball player who played for the Denver Nuggets and later the Boston Celtics. He was a top prospect coming out of high school and went to study and play at Boston College. After failing multiple drug tests and being kicked out of Boston College, Mr. Herren transferred to Fresno State. Throughout his time playing, he used drugs and was sent to rehab, affecting his career and relationships.
After becoming sober, Mr. Herren decided to begin speaking to students through his program Herren Talks, and since, he has spoken to over two million students and community members. “He had such great expectations coming out of high school and going into college,” health teacher Michael Tiscia said. “Unfortunately, he experimented with drugs and then went down a path that he couldn’t escape.”
Before Mr. Herren came out to speak, the school played a long segment of the documentary, Unguarded, which sophomores watched in health class, to introduce him. Mr. Herren then discussed why he started speaking at assemblies, and how his goal was to impact at least one student while speaking.
During the assembly, Mr. Herren also stated that when he was in high school, he was the kid who would come to these types of assemblies and laugh at the message. At the same time, he was going through difficulties at home that he wasn’t willing to discuss with others.
After the assembly, Principal William Egan reflected on how the assembly went. “I didn’t hear a pin drop in there. It was quiet, and everybody was listening to every word he had to say,” Principal Egan said. “I hope it brings healthy conversations for families to have, because that’s what I want. Any dialogue that empowers a family to have a healthy conversation is a good thing.”
Students also had thoughts about the assembly and how its message will impact them later on in life. “It might not impact everyone, but I feel like it will impact my future decision making,” freshman Jules Spordone said.
Junior Ryan Monohan also felt that the assembly was important and informational. “It was interesting seeing another perspective especially when it came to drugs. We are getting to that age when some people are making questionable decisions,” he said. “I think the main point of the assembly is that it won’t impact most of us, but it will impact a few.”
NCPS Student Support Coordinator, Susan Bliss said some students might have felt like this assembly doesn’t matter to them or that they won’t take away anything from it. “Having another person over thirty talking to them doesn’t always feel as relevant. Sometimes it can feel like oh that’s not for me,” Dr. Bliss said. “ I hope one thing people will take away is that everybody has the potential to have these kinds of difficulties, if not in their lives, in their families or friends.”
Dr. Bliss also stressed that students should keep in mind that the importance of this assembly is to share a message about how the first night of heavy drinking or drug use can happen to anyone. “Even the most talented person in the world who had so much promise and so many opportunities can succumb to substance abuse,” she said.
“I want our students to always make good choices in life, to do the best they can, be really good people and make the right choices in life.”
William Egan, Principal
Mr. Tiscia spoke about how this assembly will also help connect back to the health class standard of advocacy. “The assembly tied back into the entire health curriculum because it covered reaching out for help,” he said. “I think his story shows that if you can surround yourself with really positive people, you can find the help that you need.”
Overall, Chris Herren’s talk shared a valuable lesson about preventing the first night of substance use, a decision that Principal Egan hopes stays with students in their futures. “I want our students to always make good choices in life, to do the best they can, be really good people and make the right choices in life,” he said.
