Class of '62 Student Enrichment Fund Event
Campus visit by Kyle Maynard
April 20, 2016

On April 20th, the Class of '62 Student Enrichment Fund sponsored bringing congenital amputee Kyle Maynard to the Academy to speak about his "no excuses" approach to life. This inspiring young man has been featured on the 20/20 news program and authored his own book. His website provides additional background.

Kyle spent the day on campus with his traveling companion and best friend, Joey Leonardo. At breakfast in the dining hall, the student body became aware of his presence in the wheel chair, going through the food line and transferring out of the wheel chair to a regular dining hall chair. Several faculty came to the table to meet him and Joey. The initial interaction was welcoming and cordial and set the tone for a wonderful day at Culver.

Commandant (Navy Captain) Mike Neller used a golf cart to take Kyle and Joey to the Toots Henderson Auditorium in the Crisp Visual Arts Center. 26 members of our community, mostly students, attended an exchange of stories and questions with Kyle. He had learned enough about Culver to reference our students' experiences in his comments and his openness to discussing his journey was compelling and a taste of what the afternoon assembly would bring.

After a quiet lunch that included our wrestling coach, Matt Behling, Capt. Neller brought Kyle and Joey to Eppley to coordinate his microphone, the video portion, and place chairs on the stage. After a cup of coffee, the program began. Following a touching video segment, Kyle came out on the stage without his wheelchair. From that moment you could hear a pin drop in the auditorium, and he held the audience captive. Often interjecting humor in his remarks, he held the crowd with telling comments about his highs and lows growing up, and the fact that his parents wanted him to be independent and not reliant on others. Highlighting athletic accomplishments, travel experiences, authorship, and entrepreneurship, Kyle's message of a no excuse life and leading by example resonated. How could you not be impressed with an individual who does not allow a disability to dictate his life? The entire auditorium rose to give him a standing ovation at the end of his talk. About 60 students stayed afterwards to meet him, thank him for coming and bringing his story, and have photos taken.

The students I spoke with afterwards were blown away by his sincerity, spirit, conviction, and authenticity. This was an inspiring event and we thank the Class of '62 for making this happen.

-- Cathy Mitzell Duke
Fine Arts Chair, Class of 1970

In addition to Cathy's description of the event, here is feedback from students with their reactions, as compiled by Laura Yeager, Director of Stewardship, Development:

CLASS OF 1962 STUDENT ENRICHMENT FUND FEEDBACK
Speaker - Kyle Maynard
April 20, 2016

"I liked how Kyle was enthusiastic and willing to share his childhood stories with the school. I reminded myself that finding a purpose in life is important and doing what we enjoy and love is necessary to be happy. It also teaches students that there are no excuses, and that we are able to do anything that we put our minds up to.

"After the presentation I had a strong feeling of doing what I enjoy and love which is what makes me happy. I will now remind Kyle every time I have an excuse, because there is no good excuse."
--Andres '16


"Throughout his speech, I really enjoyed how he mixed in life stories with his inspirational spiels. So many times when motivational speakers talk, they just shout out positive words and make no personal connection to what their saying. I've never enjoyed motivational speakers because of this. I always saw them as fake. However, Kyle's speech felt real and personal. I could tell he actually believed in what he was saying, and wasn't just speaking to fill time.

"Despite going through totally different experiences, I could relate to when he talked about having to learn to be independent. I think every Culver student could relate to that statement. Living alone at 14 isn't easy, especially when you have to take over jobs your parents did for you. Kyle had to do the same thing as he figured out how to handle basic tasks with his physical limitations. That feeling of confusion and not understanding came through and was relatable, and even though we had gone through completely different struggles.

"I didn't realize all the things in my life I take for granted. No one really stays up at night thinking about how grateful they are to have hands and feet. I was able to see my life and the lives of others in a different light. I also viewed disabilities differently. Just like Kyle's doctor, I would have assumed that anybody who didn't have normal legs and arms would be stuck in a wheelchair their entire life, having to depend on others. Hearing him talk and tell his story helped me realize that a disability is not a life sentence.

"I think the class of 1962 should continue to bring in speakers who are very different then us. It opens up our minds and introduces to subjects we most likely no little about."
--Lauren '18


"My favorite part about the speech was his overall positivity and the vibe he gave off to all of us. He never gives up. Although sometimes I feel as if I want to give in, I cannot, and now I will have his memory in the back of my mind to think about if I feel the desire to give up.

"I believe that his accomplishments of doing everyday activities is something to be proud of. It shows me how thoughts of me not being able to reach a goal are ridiculous. I will strive to reach my goals no matter how high they are."
--Lauren '16


"I liked Kyle's speech because of how real he was. He was inspiring, and we can see what he personally has accomplished. It was really nice to hear his military appreciation especially when he was talking about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was pertinent to hear about the times he failed; we are going into a time in our lives where we have to operate on our own and we will have to fail. But we also have to get back up again and again. It reminds me to look at the bigger things in life rather than focus on my petty problems."
--Annie '16


"I like how he incorporated some humor into his speech as well as being serious. It kept it very human. I think the part about all the excuses that we make for not doing things was very relatable and it should be something everyone at Culver reflects upon.

"There is nothing that I would change about this presentation! It was awesome!"
--Claire '18


"I liked when Kyle was talking about him climbing the mountain. It related to me when he was talking about dealing with our excuses. I feel like I make excuses at Culver such as: I shouldn't go for that AP because too many people are going for it. I will probably view my excuses differently and think, are these really valid.

"If looking for ideas for a future speaker, I would like to hear someone who has political background."
--Nora '19


"He had true life experiences which made it interesting. I think that it relates to everyone. He said, "We all have excuses that we hold on to," and I most definitely do. I will strive even harder to leave behind my excuses. He is most definitely an inspiration to me that I can think of during bad times to help me through. There was nothing that I didn't like about the presentation."
--Eric '16


"Kyle Maynard's no excuses speech really affected me. It was helpful and will remind me to incorporate this message into school and on the sports field. My favorite part of his speech was the story of him climbing to the top of the mountain. It was amazing! I wouldn't change anything but allow more time for stories about his life."
--Karinna '19


"I really liked his message. His message was clear and one I heard before, but he had examples and personal experiences to back it up. I felt like it related to my life because I consider myself a hard worker. Whether it is in school, athletics, or the military, his message of not having excuses and pushing yourself to the fullest potential is evident in my life. When times are tough, I will think back to him and his life. He has it way harder than I do, so I should have no reason to complain."
--Harry '16


"I liked the simplicity of his speech. We all need to find our "why" in life, otherwise it's pointless. I thought that the way he used his stories and whole life to support his main idea was more than superb. It really emphasized how simple it really is. Because he is living proof, his point was echoed throughout the entire audience.

"Sometimes as a senior I feel as if most of my classes will not matter in the long run; leaving me lazy. But in actuality, it's more about the principle of completing those long, banal, dire lectures then it is the information received. Learning how to do this will be a required skill to have in college. And his speech helped me see that some things are necessary to do for the greater good."
--Hunter '16


"I loved his inspirational message infused with humor. It was light-hearted, but effective. I found that it was relatable to everyone because we all create excuses. Instead of creating an excuse, create a plan to achieve your goals. I haven't met a single person who did not enjoy his speech, and it pertained to all of our lives."
--Landon '18


"What I enjoyed most about Kyle's speech was his message that as long as you have a good enough reason as to why you want to accomplish something, no excuses are big enough to stop you. I found this to be very relevant and inspirational. With all the stress of classes, upcoming AP exams, and future uncertainties and hopes for college, I feel that his message was very relatable. The drudgery of going through every day actions that sometimes seem irrelevant get students, myself included, down and unmotivated. His message helped to serve as a reminder to focus on personal goals and what we hope to accomplish.

"I have become more aware of the kinds of excuses I make for myself in life and in school and what is holding me back. His message alerted me to what is truly holding me back from the person I want to be and so I think that by being aware of my excuses and negative thoughts, I can better avoid them inhibiting my success.

"Although I think speakers who relate their messages to athletics are very relatable to the majority of culver students, in order to have more balance and variety in the types of speakers we have, Culver should welcome speakers who draw their inspirations, accomplishments, and challenges from a more artistic and creative point of view."
--Taylor '16


"My favorite part of Kyle's speech was when he told us the story about how he became a football player. Kyle's story about how he struggled, and learned how to put his socks on reminded me of how I learn to do things. Even though tasks may seem challenging, you always have to work and fight through them. I know his message will remind me to be more grateful for what I have in my life, and I will aspire to do more with everything I come in contact with."
--Dylan '18


"This was one of the better presenters we have had. I could have listened to him all day. It was really good and it provided a lot of us with a good reminder on pushing to achieve our goals."
--Riley '17


My favorite part about Kyle's speech was when he was telling us about his life and how, when it came down to it, he didn't let anything stop him from what he wanted to do. It also struck me that his biggest obstacle was overcoming the mind game, not anything to do with the people around him. I think his message with stick with me and help me be more focused toward achieving my own goals.
--Logan '18