Desire to Inspire Programs brings Kennedy to Middle School

Michelle Murdock, Freelance Writer | April 2016

Congressman Joe Kennedy visited the Hopkinton Middle School on Friday, March 25 as part of the “26.2 Desire to Inspire” program to speak about the importance of public service.

The “26.2 Desire to Inspire” program is an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes class lessons, enrichments, guest speakers, fundraisers, sports and competitions – all tied to the spirit of the Marathon.  It was created by a collaborative effort of the 26.2 Foundation, a team of teachers at the Hopkinton Middle School in partnership with the Alpha Omega Council, the Consul General of Greece, Professor Loren J. Samons II from the Boston University Department of Classical Studies, and The Examined Life, an organization whose mission is to strengthen Greek studies in schools. Its mission is the development and promulgation of educational programming for elementary, middle and high school students, and their communities, illuminating the role of the Battle of Marathon in preserving the emerging Athenian democracy and civilization, and connecting that historical event and the concept of a Marathon run to the citizen soldier in the birth of America, and the role, duties and opportunities for civic participation today.

Relating his experience of running the Boston Marathon to students and describing it as one of the most grueling and most memorable few hours of his life, Kennedy was able to tie his marathon experience and the support he received along the course to public service and its effects.

“People that you have never met are out there cheering for you; the guy to your left and the girl to your right,” said Kennedy.  “And when you think there is absolutely no way you can make it, no way you can take another step, there’s a runner by your side, or a spectator on the sidewalk that tells you that they know you can.”

And it is at that point that Kennedy said he realized that running the Boston Marathon isn’t always the individual sport it is made out to be. “When I was tapped out, when I couldn’t take another step, someone I had never met was there to lift me up and push me on,” he said.

And it was that message, of how small acts can reverberate, that Kennedy related to public service saying that moments that might not mean much to you can mean a lot to others.

In a question and answer session after his talk, Kennedy fielded questions from the audience that ranged from why he wanted to serve as a congressman, what he would be if he wasn’t a politician, to would he run another marathon, and what inspired him.

Kennedy answered that he ran for Congress because he wanted to help others. As an example, with his background as a prosecutor, he said he prosecuted drug users, but realized that they were sick. He said he was inspired to try to address that sickness and to help before a crime was committed and felt that this type of change could be accomplished through politics.  The best part of his job he said was meeting people.

When asked what he would do if he was not a politician, Kennedy said he enjoyed being a prosecutor and pointed out that there are other ways to contribute and serve the public without being an elected official.

In conclusion, Kennedy ended his talk with students with one takeaway saying, “Your voice matters.” Even if not yet old enough to vote, he encouraged students to talk about today’s issues saying they might be surprised to see the effect they could have on others and get them to vote.