FPL-sponsored Student ACES Program Inspires Leaders of Tomorrow
At a recent leadership training immersion session at Miami Edison Senior High School, former NFL Kansas City Chief running back and stalwart at the University of Miami Hurricanes, Donnell Bennett, announced to a group of 50 student-athletes, the Red Raiders, that “Attitude is Altitude.”
Bennett, who was born in Fort Lauderdale and attended Cardinal Gibbons High School gives back to the future generation, and spoke passionately about what it takes to have the correct type of mental outlook to achieve success, relating “altitude” (how successful you can become in life) with “attitude” (starting off with the right mindset), communicated his personal story of pushing himself in the classroom and on attaining the goals that he had set for himself.
Bennett, fondly referred to as “Head Coach or DB” by students, is a key member of the Student ACES program, a values-based leadership training organization sponsored by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to expand high school leadership development in Miami-Dade County with the goal of building young men and women of honor, integrity and character.
Student ACES will be offering the leadership training throughout Miami-Dade County High Schools. The first wave of training will be continue at the following schools:
- Miami Edison
- North Miami Senior High School
- Northwestern Senior High School
- Booker T. Washington Senior High School
- Miami Central Senior High School
- Carol City Senior High School
“We saw an opportunity to improve on traditional back-to-school activities and offer lessons in leadership,” said Buck Martinez, founder of Student ACES, a Florida-based 501(c) 3 organization that aims to instill a foundation of values that “defines character.”
“With the things that are going on in the world today, these kids need to soak up what it means to be a leader and do the right things to put them on a path to success,” continued Bennett.
Other participants in the program included DaJuan Morgan, former University of North Carolina State standout and NFL Kansas City Chief defensive back and Chris Priester, a Broward County educator and comedian.
About Student ACES
Student ACES’ focus is to inspire, train and mentor a community of Student ACES who exemplify leadership traits in athletics, community service and education. Its mission is to develop tomorrow’s leaders by providing best-in-class leadership curriculum, mentoring and projects that make a difference in their communities. Student ACES is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Schools participating in the Student ACES program include those from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
