Students hear motivating talk at assembly
Nyeeam Hudson, an 11-year-old internationally known motivational speaker out of Orange, N.J., was given a rousing ovation April 28 by Northampton Area Middle School (NAMS) students.
The middle school’s anti-bullying program is heralded as a model for other schools, and Nyeeam’s message addressed issues young people confront - bullying, peer pressure and lack of confidence.
Nyeeam, known famously as King Nahh, has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “Dr. Oz” and others. He will appear on a May 30 telecast of Steve Harvey’s “Little Big Shots.” His international celebrity was recognized by Huffington Post’s “12 Kids Who Rocked the World in 2016.” Nyeeam was featured in Forbes Magazine’s “Meet the Most Motivational Speaker in America,” and he appeared at the International Day of Happiness event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Dressed in a pale blue shirt, tie and beige slacks, Nyeeam exploded on the raised stage in the NAMS gymnasium, brimming in energy that captivated the 1,350 students.
“How are you guys today?” Nyeeam asked upon entering the gymnasium. Students responded with earsplitting cheers.
A large number of students raised their hands when Nyeeam asked if they have ever been subjected to bullying in their young lives. NAMS Principal Patrice Turner said the anti-bullying program at the middle school includes a fall assembly and skit on bullying and a student committee formed for grades 6 through 8 that addresses peer pressure and bullying throughout the entire school year.
“I was bullied in second grade,” Nyeeam told the students.
The bullying, he said, was verbal, not physical.
Nyeeam told students if bullied, they should try to be positive and say you can’t take it anymore.
“Try to communicate with that person,” he said.
Talking to others can be helpful, but don’t buckle under peer pressure or bullying, he said.
“I told you, no, I’m not going to do that,” is another example Nyeeam said students could say when faced with peer pressure.
Knowing some students have low confidence, Nyeeam said, “Just go for it. Stay positive. Never give up.”
He said a person subjected to such abuse should “look in the mirror and say I’m great ... I’m strong ... I am the best.”
When asked a question regarding race, Nyeeam replied, “We are all the same. When we cut our hand and bleed, we all bleed red.”
And on a question about stage fright, asked by Angelee Torres, Nyeeam brought her to the stage aside of him, students cheering her on.
Author of the book “We Are All Kings - A Motivational Guide for Parents,” he has an upcoming book titled “We Are Queens Too,” an effort to crown each youngster on matters of encouragement, discrimination and making new friends.