school motivational speakers

Motivational speaker John Halligan presented his story to Vinal Technical High School students and staff. Sponsored by the Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation. John’s program addressed bullying, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention. John lost his son Ryan to suicide on October 7, 2003. At the time of his death, Ryan was a 13 year old middle school student in Essex Junction, Vermont. It was revealed in much greater detail after Ryan’s death that he was ridiculed and humiliated by peers at school and online. We would like to thank Principal Dr. Nelson Rivera and Imoni Petgrave for hosting John and for providing the time for students to have discussions before and after his presentation. 

Motivational speaker John Halligan presented his story to Beman students and staff. Sponsored by the Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation. John’s powerful and positive messages emphasized the importance of achieving suicide prevention through self-advocacy and advocacy for others. John talked about being an up-stander and not a bystander when someone is being bullied. Get involved, don’t participate in bullying, and don’t be afraid of apologizing if you owe one. Most importantly, John emphasized that “You are loved beyond belief!” His presentation was truly a catalyst for change and it is our hope that students were inspired to make a difference. Individuals feeling depressed or bullied should turn to their family, friends, or trusted adults for help because “You’re Worth It”.  

Motivational speaker John Halligan presented his story to CRHS students and staff. Sponsored by the Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation. John’s powerful and positive messages emphasized the importance of achieving suicide prevention through self-advocacy and advocacy for others. 

Motivational speaker John Halligan presented his story to Frank Ward Strong students and staff. Sponsored by the Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation. John’s powerful and positive messages emphasized the importance of achieving suicide prevention through self-advocacy and advocacy for others. 

Motivational speaker John Halligan presented his story to Valley Regional HS parents. Sponsored by the Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation. John’s program addressed bullying, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention.  

Motivational speaker John Halligan presented his story in two sessions to John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional HS students and staff. Sponsored by the Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation. John’s program addressed bullying, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention.  

Motivational speaker John Halligan presented his story to the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and staff at Haddam-Killingworth Middle School on September 27, 2022.  

Motivational speaker John Halligan presented his story to the entire school body in 2 sessions at the Haddam-Killingworth High School on April 27, 2022.  

The Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation, Inc. sponsored actor John Morello’s performance D.I.R.T. for 7th and 8th grade students, staff, and parents at H-K Middle School February 26, 2019. John’s skits covered a wide range of social issues that impact both young and old, including depression, drug and alcohol use, inclusion, bullying and suicide prevention. He explores the challenges and decisions that students face. John inspired the school assembly to take action by urging them to reflect upon choices they make in their daily lives, from what they put in their bodies, the way they treat each other, and the way they treat themselves.

Marie and Howie Field would like to thank science teacher Robin Duffield, and principal Dr. Jennifer Olsen for coordinating John’s appearance at the middle school.

The Nathaniel B Field Memorial Foundation, Inc. sponsored actor John Morello to perform at a school wide assembly at Coginchaug Regional High School on February 12th. John’s skits covered a wide range of social issues that impact both young and old alike including depression, drug use, inclusion, bullying, and suicide prevention. John is a one-man show that explores the challenges and decisions that people face every day. He inspires audiences to take action by urging them to reflect upon the choices that they make in their daily lives, from what they put into their bodies, to the way they treat one another, to the way they treat themselves.

Students and staff provided feedback after the performance.  The following comments are a few of those submitted:

“I thought the performance was a creative way to express important ideas, and I think it engaged us in a way where we were laughing but also we knew the importance of what we were hearing.”

“Incredibly powerful presentation; completely worthwhile-amazing messages woven throughout an excellent, engaging presentation.”

“I believe that it was beneficial because it showed different scenarios of people dealing with similar problems. I could relate with many of their problems.”

“The performance was powerful, personal, and skillfully acted. It was meaningful and indescribably valuable to the students and even teachers of the school.”

“John Morello's performance was fantastic. I think it was one of the more realistic and relatable assemblies our students have been exposed to. John captivated our students and held their attention for the entire session. I really enjoyed the performance and how the stories all became connected and relatable.”

Marie and Howie Field would like to thank CRHS principal Brian Falcone, staff, students, and the Durham-Middlefield communities for their support.

The Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation sponsored two school wide assemblies for students and faculty with actor John Morello performing in the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School auditorium on January 6th. DIRT is a one-man show that explores the challenges and decisions that young people face every day. John Morello inspires student to take action by urging them to reflect upon the choices that they make in their daily lives, from what they put into their bodies, to the way they treat one another, to the way they treat themselves. Students were encouraged to ask John Morello questions at the end of each performance. The Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation would like to thank Haddam and Killingworth residents for their continued support of the foundation’s efforts to have a positive impact on our communities.