Janis Reeser
| Reporter assisted by AI
The Detroit Lions mascot Roary visited Eyler Elementary School to teach students about leadership and responsibility.
The event was part of the Lions Leaders for Life Assembly, an interactive program designed to teach students about character, responsibility and leadership, according to a community announcement.
Third grader Beck Santos and fourth grader King Rey Pozon led a demonstration of the “Roary Right 273 Hitch,” a trick that team personnel said that Lions Quarterback Jared Goff keeps in his playbook.
The assembly was held Dec. 3, the day before the Lions beat the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field.
Lesson in leadership
The program taught students about the qualities of a good leader, using the acronym LEADER: Listens, is Educated, Ambitious, Disciplined, Encouraging and Responsible. Students learned about three types of leaders: quiet leaders who encourage and motivate others, vocal leaders like Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell who inspire through their words, and leaders by example, like Roary himself.
Roary shared examples of the Lions’ community service, including supporting food pantries and helping families across Michigan.
“Learning about leadership is powerful on its own, but when students get to experience those lessons through movement, laughter and interaction with a figure like Roary, it sticks,” Principal Steven Krause said in the announcement.
First grade teacher Chelsey Krzyston organized the assembly, which was designed to teach students about character, responsibility and leadership in a fun, high-energy way.
She also participated in a push-up contest with Roary, which she won, drawing cheers from the students.
“I always tell my students to be ready to step up and lead by example, and I had to prove that I practice what I preach,” Krzyston said in the announcement. “It was incredibly rewarding to coordinate this assembly and see how much the students learned about teamwork and leadership from Roary.”
At the end of the assembly, Eyler received a banner listing the Lions Leaders for Life traits and a flag football kit for use in gym class.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@usatodayco.com with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.