WarriorRic motivates learners to be their best in matric exams
9 November 2021
Ricardo Gressel, a Johannesburg-based motivational speaker, recently visited some Western Cape schools to encourage Grade 12 learners to claim success for themselves.
Gressel, also known as WarriorRic, visited Modderdam High and Bonteheuwel High School before the start of the exams. He explained the importance of having a warrior attitude and getting small things right, like making their bed, to achieve the bigger things.
Learners appreciated his sincere, vibrant yet focussed manner of affirming them to proceed with renewed vigour and confidence for ‘the last lap’. He emphasised that it was not too late to form little study groups and to attend final dash sessions offered by their school and the Metro Central Education District (MCED).
“I shared with learners the importance of acknowledging negative emotions and finding the God-given tools we possess to squash them. I expressed to them that when we feel fear, we must call on our faith; when we experience self-doubt, we should leverage our unique and special gifts; and if we sense anxiety, to give thanks for what we have in order to avoid worry. Most importantly, whenever we are presented with a challenge, especially mountains of obstacles that come in the form of exams that we must overcome to matriculate, seek peace. It is peace that gives us strength, will and a sound mind,” Gressel said.
WarriorRic was accompanied by Brenda Robertson, Acting Director for the Metro Central Education District. Robertson encouraged learners to do their absolute best, to focus on the immediate goal ahead so that they can continue with their journey of pursuing even bigger dreams. She also thanked their teachers and school staff for providing excellent education for the learners in their care.
Parents were thanked for the sacrifices that were made to enable their children quality teaching and learning.
WarriorRic also addressed learners at Curro Sitari in Somerset West and Grabouw High School and De Rust Academy in the Elgin Valley.
“The learners, like in Bonthewuel and at Curro, were so appreciative and enthusiastic following my engagements.”
A teacher at Grabouw expressed the hope that the school could repeat the 100% matric pass rate achieved after WarriorRic’s last visit in 2018.
He added that while he was flattered to even be remotely associated with the school’s success, he considered himself a vessel amongst many soldiers, including teachers and parents, battling to save this generation of learners despite the odds.
“We all know that the challenge is grave. That many of our learners will find it difficult during this time, but that it will be worth it. I just hope that we can recruit more like-minded warriors to engage our learners with empathetic words of encouragement so that we can defeat the perils of an unjust world that selfishly perpetuates supporting the few, if any. Instead, we should practice Ubuntu to support a future that belongs to us all.”
Follow or contact Warrior Ric on the following platforms:
LinkedIn: Ricardo Gressel
Twitter and Facebook: WarriorRic
Instagram: @thewarriorric
YouTube: WarriorRic
