Education Spotlight: King George High School Celebrates "All-In Day"
The school hosted a special day to get students ready for the new academic year.
By Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT
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Editor’s Note: On Wednesday mornings, we will be spotlighting special events, noteworthy achievements, and inspiring people in our area public schools. Let us know if you have suggestions for future coverage!
King George High School got its students pumped up for the 2024-25 school year by hosting “All-In Day,” featuring field day activities and sessions with speaker Gian Paul Gonzalez—who motivated the 2011 New York Giants to their Super Bowl win with his “All-in” speech.
Gonzalez was an NCAA First Team All-American forward from Montclair State University, scoring nearly 1,400 points in his three-year career. He played in the NBA Summer League in 2007 and was offered professional basketball contracts but decided to go into teaching.
According to his biography, Gonzalez was a high school teacher in Union City, N.J., when he was invited to lead a chapel service for members of the New York Giants.
He asked the players to write down something they wanted to commit to on a poker chip and then explained the meaning of the phrase “All In” and what it means to “put all your chips on the table.”
The Giants went on to win their game next day and credited Gonzalez for motivating the win. Their streak continued through the 2012 Super Bowl, where they beat the New England Patriots.
Since then, Gonzalez has been featured on ESPN, Fox News and, CNN and has given inspirational talks to other professional sports teams and Fortune 500 organizations.
He’s also the founder and executive director of Hope & Future, an organization dedicated to using athletics and physical fitness to motivate economically disadvantaged youth and those incarcerated in juvenile jails.
At the King George High School event, students alternated between sessions with Gonzalez and field day activities including a giant inflatable obstacle course.
There were also face painting, lawn games, and a station for making friendship bracelets. And, the students got the chance to submerge many of their teachers and principal Marcus Watson in a dunk tank.
The PTSA supported the event and provided snow cones, popcorn, and cotton candy.
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