Retro Bill teaches students the importance of kindness, confidence

October 16, 2019 | 3:15 am

Updated October 15, 2019 | 11:56 pm

At a late afternoon assembly held at Estes Elementary School on Tuesday, a man wearing a multi-colored jacket and sporting an Elvis hairstyle taught a gym full of students the importance of believing in big dreams, being kind and respectful to others and staying true to themselves along the way. Abiding by these concepts, he told them, would lead them toward a happy, successful future.

Retro Bill has made a career out of sending positive vibes toward students across the country, his words fleshed out through visual storytelling and short skits. At Tuesday’s assembly, one of his skits focused on encouraging students to throw their trash away and respect their school and home, while another incorporated luggage and encouraged students to release the metaphorical weight they carry and, instead, learn how to handle it.

And though the assembly occurred during the final stretch of the school day, it was clear that Retro Bill scored big points with those in attendance. When Retro Bill asked them to repeat something, the gymnasium thundered with the sound of 500-plus voices reverberating off the walls, yelling phrases such as “follow the rules” and “the little things matter.”

But Retro Bill also inspired the students to be themselves and, even more, to appreciate themselves for their individual, unique qualities.

“If someone doesn’t appreciate you for who you are, they’re lost. Stay focused on being the best you that you can be,” he said. “In your life, make sure you set wildly important goals for yourself. Get good grades, be forgiving, and be kind.”

Teaching kindness to students across the U.S. is very important to Retro Bill, who resides in Beverly Hills, Calif., but travels up to 300 days out of the year to encourage K-12th graders and corporate businesses as well as train law enforcement officers.

After the assembly was over, Retro Bill said his being bullied as a child was what pushed him toward motivational speaking.

“[The bullying] set things into motion — me wanting to go to schools and encourage kids in a fun and entertaining way how to be a better citizen, be kinder and look after your neighbor,” he said. “Every show is different. I try to incorporate visual reminders, so the next time they see a suitcase, they think, ‘You know what — I’m carrying around my suitcase. I need to get a handle on it.’”

Retro Bill’s appearance was made possible through a partnership between Owensboro Police Department and Independence Bank, both of whom said it was hard to put a price tag on the connection Retro Bill made with the students. The two organizations came together to pay for Retro Bill’s Monday-Wednesday appearances at each elementary school in the Owensboro Public School district, Owensboro Catholic 4-6 campus, as well as Meadow Lands and Country Heights Elementary Schools.

October 16, 2019 | 3:15 am

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