Wilson 2 Wilson: School changes name to Russell Wilson Elementary
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School changes its name to Russell Wilson Elementary
“We’re calling it the story that won’t die,” Tony Ressa said.
Russell Wilson is a star. He is the face of the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. In the state of Washington and for Seahawk fans around the world he is loved and admired for his play on the field, but mostly for his life off the field. In an era where parents find it difficult to trust in the players their kids admire, Wilson simply does things the right way. Yes, Russell Wilson is everything right about professional sports. So it came as no surprise that Tony Ressa, principal at Wilson Elementary in Spokane, WA, decided that his students needed to celebrate this Super Bowl winning quarterback.
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“Russell Wilson” Elementary School
In my meeting with Tony Ressa I was immediately drawn in by his enthusiasm and spirit. He loves the Seahawks. He loves his city. He loves this school. He loves the band Phish. Sports are a major part of his life. His passion of baseball is evident by the pictures and baseballs displayed behind his desk (side note I played high school baseball for his dad who was never short on displays of passion). This is the type of principal parents and guardians hope to have for their kids. Make no mistake, all of this was done for the kids first. His personal feelings as a fan of the Seahawks played a role, but it was never the primary motivation. So, in that same spirit, Ressa and his Wilson Wildcats extended an invitation to Russell Wilson to visit the school during the off-season. Wilson, as in Russell, to Wilson, as in the school. But could it work?
As you can imagine the free time of a Super Bowl winning quarterback is limited. Support was needed locally and word would have to get to Russell Wilson. As we speak the ball is rolling. News outlets, friends of friends, Seahawk contacts. It has traveled well so far. No word from Russell quite yet, but he has a pretty good excuse. It’s also pretty good news for baseball fans in Arlington. I mean how often does a team draft a player, being perfectly satisfied having him visit camp to explain how he does what he does, hoping it can motivate the youngsters in their system? Well I don’t have that number, but I’m sure it’s not too many.
What can you do to help? Twitter: #Wilson2Wilson. Click the Facebook tab with this article and have all your friends do the same. Social media is a great tool and we all can be apart of what’s going. Even if a Skype is worked out, Wilson Elementary, Tony Ressa, his kids and the city will be extremely grateful.
“I have the idea of basing our school’s character program on Russell Wilson….a message of perseverance and hard work. Those are the things he espouses,” said Tony Ressa.
As a parent of a 6th grader at Wilson Elementary, that sounds good to me.