WESTON RANCH – For Weston Ranch JROTC SFC Sal Reyes, his perch at the top of the ramp as world-class BMX riders were in the house would have been perfect.
But as one of the members of AGA Nation National Guard BMX team ripped through the gym and up a ramp against the back wall, it became clear that he was going to get a lot more than he bargained for – a full-speed bicycle and rider flipping straight over the top of him as he peered up and the crowd of students that has gathered for the assembly cheered.
It was a small price to pay for the message – one that he said everything to do with achieving your dreams and reaching the goals you set for yourself.
“I think that it shows all of the kids what you can achieve whether it’s in school or after school,” said Reyes – who helped bring the assembly to the student body. “A lot of people don’t realize that there are a lot of opportunities out there for them – whether that’s going to college or joining the military – and why this isn’t a recruiting rally or anything like that, it gives the students some information and shows them that dedication to something can really pay off.
Behind the riders – which included X Games medalist and Dew Tour winner Brandon Dosch – the banners representing the tenets of the U.S. Army National Guard stood as a reminder of the things that are needed to achieve goals much like those flipping though the air were doing right before them: “Duty, respect, selfless service, personal courage, honor, integrity and loyalty.”
And according to Cory Yarbrough – a member of the team and the emcee of the event – the reception from the students is overwhelmingly positive every single place that they visit.
“The more you’re in the middle of nowhere the crazier the crowds are, but we get people coming up to us all the time that are from a group that doesn’t seem much like cheering and they all tell us it’s the coolest thing they’ve ever seen,” said Yarbrough – who organizes the team and has visited the 48 contiguous United States are part of this tour. “It’s an amazing experience. I hated a lot of the jobs that I had when I was younger, but now I look forward to getting out there and meeting young people all over the country.”
The tour will next make an appearance in Rancho Cordova.