BRIDGEPORT – An Olympian winner visited the home of the Bulldogs to share her story and inspire students to be the best version of themselves.
Leah Amico is a three-time Olympic gold medal winner in softball in 1996, 2000 and 2004, a two-time World Champion, a National Softball Hall of Fame Inductee in 2009, and a three-time National Champion at the University of Arizona. She spoke to Bridgeport high schoolers and middle schoolers Sept. 18 as part of a Sports World tour of talks. Sports World is an organization formed to encourage young people to make the right choices by introducing them to positive role models.
Amico lives by the motto that no one is born a winner, and no one is born a loser, but everyone is born a “chooser.”
She asked the students to consider their choice of influences and who they look up to, since it is easy to be caught up by the pressures of peers and social media.
“I just want to encourage you to be your own person. Don’t be so much of a follower that you end up losing yourself. Make sure when you do things, you’re doing them for good, right reasons.”
Amico said they have control over their attitude and the effort they put into any undertaking. Showing up with a good work ethic and determination to do her best took her far.
She said even when they find their natural strengths, they must work hard if they commit to excel. She related instances when she chose to embrace difficult situations and use them as an opportunity to grow. She also took opportunities that presented themselves, such as when she was offered the chance to be a commentator for ESPN.
Along with the correct mindset and dedicated action, Amico reminded students to consider the people they surround themselves with. She challenged them to find mentors and leaders and others who share their values, to value those around them and always try to add value to the team as they urge each other to excellence.
“You make more of an impact that you realize.”
She was also inspired by a fellow young athlete who died unexpectedly. She determined to make the most of every opportunity to be a positive force for others, using authenticity, integrity and hard work.
She told the story of a classmate who had great athletic talent but who wasted that talent as well as years of his life when he got involved in drugs and alcohol.
“There are so many people with unbelievable potential, that never happens and never does anything.”
She added the students have incredible opportunities at their fingertips.
“Nobody can make you live out your purpose and reach your potential.”
She goes into more detail in her book, “The Gold Standard: 14 ways to live a life of excellence.”
Middle School Principal Anne Haverty Lawson said the students’ choices have positive and negative outcomes, and those outcomes add up.
“Her message reminded our students that success is not just about talent, but about character, determination, and the decisions we make every day. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an inspiring role model, and we know her words will encourage our Bulldogs to dream big, work hard, and always choose the path that leads to success.”
High School Principal Jack Fisher thanked her for coming.
“It was great to have Leah here with us today. She has such a great story to tell our kids about the value of the choices we make in life. She’s living proof that you can achieve great things when you put your mind in the right direction and are thoughtful about your choices.”
Afterward, Amico spoke to members of the Bridgeport softball team, who brought back honors last season at the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference.
Sophomore Vanessa Zelkowski was interested in hearing about the qualities Amico internalized, as well as her accomplishments.
“It was pretty inspirational. I didn’t even know softball was in the Olympics but when I heard she was playing, I thought it was awesome honestly because I’ve never seen a girl go that far,” she said. “I was a freshman on varsity, so seeing how you went really far, that’s big to me because that means I could go way farther than just high school.”
Amico’s talk resonated with softball coach, Hannah Boyer. Boyer made her school district proud last school year when she was named the OVAC Coach of the Year.
“She was a great inspiration to my girls today, and I think they’re going to take that and they’re going to use it this year,” she said. “All she said about coming back and being motivated to do what you can do, and your potential, that’s all completely true.”
