Motivational speaker and author Brad Hurtig spoke to more than 3,600 students at 13 southwest and central Iowa schools from Sept. 25-29.
Hurtig’s speeches, which centered on making positive life choices, were part of Treynor, Iowa-based TS Bank’s TS Promise motivational speaker series. The program is in its 23rd year and is part of the bank’s commitment to reinvest 10 percent of net profits back into local communities. Hurtig also delivered an address to more than 225 students and parents at a Sept. 27 youth rally at a local church.
Hurtig lost both of his hands in a workplace accident days after completing his sophomore year at a high school in northwest Ohio. He later rejoined his high school football team, recording 111 tackles as a senior and receiving All-State honors while playing without hands.
“Students were genuinely impacted by the story and his perseverance,” said Treynor High School Principal Rick Nickerson. “There were a lot of lunch conversations about how cool it was that he was able to do all the things he wanted to in spite of his injuries. They really felt like it hit home for them.”