Pickering challenged students to establish role models in their life of what they want to become.

White told two stories of events during high school. In the first story an adult who White respected told White along with a group of students that students from this area don’t succeed and go to Harvard, or run for President, but that rich kids are groomed to become successful. White said the adult believed that to be the truth.

White never believed that statement and took it as a challenge. In fact, he remembered something his aunt had told him a few years earlier. White had questioned how a student from Sandersville could afford to go to a good college and become a Rhodes scholar. His aunt responded “If you work hard enough, every school in this entire country will look you in the eye and say you can come here and you won’t have to pay a dime .” White said the comment “struck a chord” and he realized his potential was only limited to how far he wanted to push himself. His aunt believed that to be the truth.

White said he remembered sitting and listening to speakers talk about the possibilities and success that goes along with hand work. He isn’t sure why he never believed it before, but at the time it was the way she said it and phrased it that it really struck a chord with him.

“Each infinite decision you make you choose to believe the first adult or the second adult,” White said.

“If you are willing to work hard and make tough choices, all the opportunities in this world are open to you, but it will be extraordinarily difficult.”

White’s favorite quote is from Percy Cerutty, an athletic trainer from Australia. “Think deeply and separate what you wish from what you are prepared to do.”

“My hope for everyone here is that you realize that all the things you need to succeed are right here at Northeast Jones. Everything I have accomplished is due to people sitting in this room. You have the opportunity to do whatever you want to do but you are going to have to make touch choices,” White said.