News
QBOL Assembly at Bellwood-Antis Middle School featuring Quinton Aaron
Beating the Odds Foundation presented a Quarterbacks of Life® assembly for three hundred seventy-six (376) 5th – 8th grade students of Bellwood-Antis Middle School.
Quinton Aaron, actor, who serves as a Quarterback of Life® for Beating the Odds Foundation spoke to the students of his own personal beating the odds story and the importance of having a dream, setting goals, overcoming obstacles and most importantly, never giving up. During the assembly, students were treated to Aaron’s singing talent when he broke out into Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
Aaron, who has his own story of beating the odds, was raised in the Bronx, New York City, and later moved, by his mother, to Augusta, Georgia for a better life with more educational opportunities. At times Aaron was not sure he would graduate high school. He credits the caring teachers at his new school for getting him back on track. An actor who had more experience with community and church theater than with movies, he secured the lead role in a major motion picture, The Blind Side, alongside Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. This was a feat in and of itself. Much like the storyline’s feature of Michael Oher’s life, a homeless and traumatized boy who beat the odds to become an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick, Aaron also beat the odds to get the part — Aaron was working as a security guard, unable to pay his rent, and on the verge of homelessness when he landed the starring role. Due to his superb performance, Quinton was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, alongside screen legends Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx and Morgan Freeman.
This is the fifth year that Bellwood-Antis School District has participated in the Quarterbacks of Life® Student Success and Leadership Program under the leadership of Principal Don Wagner and teachers Susan Nycum and Jamie Forshey. The Program at Bellwood-Antis School District is sponsored by Dan Himes Construction, Bellwood-Antis School District Foundation, Delgrosso Foods, Danny’s Metals, Charles Caracciolo Steel & Metal Yard, Altoona First Savings Bank, Keller Engineers, Walmart, US Foods, Central PA Community Foundation, and First Commonwealth Bank.
