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Friday, March 29, 2024

Shaq encourages children to follow their dreams

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In the cafeteria of IPS School No. 51, Shaquille O’Neal, casually dressed in a black T-shirt and black sweatpants, caused quite a stir by kissing several students and a teacher on Tuesday afternoon.

In Indianapolis to commentate on the NBA playoffs between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, O’Neal took time to visit School No. 51 to talk to the children about following their dreams.

While entering the cafeteria, he was greeted by many joyful screams and yells from the children eating lunch. The children were so excited that it took quite a while for teachers and O’Neal to quiet them down.

At 7 feet, 4 inches tall, O’Neal towered over the children.

Finally able to speak, one of the first things he said to the children was, “I love you.” O’Neal, better known simply as Shaq, had the children repeat this back to him along with many other encouraging messages such as, “I love myself,” “I love my teachers,” and “I care.”

Having captured the children’s attention, he then began to deliver his main message – follow your dreams.

During this message, he had the children repeat, “I can be and I will be anything that I want to be,” and “I’m a leader, not a follower.”

Shaq told the children about his dreams to become a professional basketball player, a rapper, and a doctor and how he has accomplished them all.

Shaq received his doctoral degree from Barry University in human resource development in 2012.

In addition to these accomplishments, Shaq is a celebrity spokesperson for Buick, has appeared in several films, and has been a reserve law enforcement officer in several cities.

Shaq also took the time to stress the importance of education to the children.

Following the messages, he then showed his silly side by rapping and playfully interacting with the kids. He also allowed the children to ask him silly questions and while responding, he playfully kissed a few of them on the cheek.

Before leaving the cafeteria, Shaq asked individual children about their dreams and had them say that they would be “the best” at whatever they wanted to be.

Shaq was then led into the school’s media center where he answered reporters’ questions.

When asked about why it’s important to encourage children about education at a young age, he simply said, “They are the future.”

Shaq then went on to explain how times and technology have changed and children have more resources available today than when he grew up.

In response to a question about why he kissed the children, he explained, “My style when I talk to kids is, I want them to remember something,” and, “I like to have fun with kids.”

“I see a lot of educated people come and give educated talks and kids don’t want to hear that…kids understand I speak their language.”

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