Students inspired by the philosophy of Kyries Hebert

Students at Gault Institute in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield had the opportunity to meet a very special guest on Wednesday as part of Trades Week.

A player with the Montreal Alouettes, linebackers Kyries Hebert, opened the students' eyes wide during his visit to the English elementary school. The "Als" number 34 impressed the youngsters with a talk about his pathway to professional football in North America.

Considering that he did not always have an easy time in his athletic background, Hebert emphasized his "never quit" philosophy. The player from Eunice, Louisiana was not drafted during his eligibility year with the National Football League, which did not stop him from  making a career with the NFL and the Canadian football League.

Starting out a defensive back, the 6' 3'' (191 cm) and 220 pound (100 kg) athlete played for Minnesota, Houston, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay south of the border. In the Canadian League, he has excelled playing for Ottawa, Winnipeg, Hamilton and the Montreal Alouettes.

After four years with the Montreal team, Hebert was appointed to the CFL all star team in 2012. Moved to the position of linebacker the following year, he played his best season with 68 tackles and 9 sacks. Now aged 35, the graduate of Louisiana University, Lafayette signed  a three year contract with the Alouettes in 2014.

In 2013, Kyries Hebert was awarded the "Tom Pate Memorial Award" in recognition of his great generosity to the community. Injuries limited him to nine games last season, but he promises to be fully  recovered and back with the Alouettes in 2016.

In his message to the students, Hebert emphasized the importance of  discipline and a healthy diet before giving himself over to a long session of signing autographs. Raised by his mother and grandmother, Kyries held on to the idea of perseverance on his way through life. Off the field, the philanthropist leads by example and has created the "Ky Cares" Foundation with his fiancée, Anneth Him Lazarenko, a professional basketball player in Panama.

Various careers

Gault Institute is part of the BOKS Program and in partnership with the Alouettes and another member of the team, linebacker Nicolas Boulay, recently held a football clinic for the children. In terms of the Semaine des métiers (Trades Week), kiosks were set up in the gym with information for the students about various jobs in mechanics, welding, roofing, carpentry, nursing, police work, firefighting, horticulture and office work. Guests gave presentations in classrooms with demonstrations on careers with a cook, nurse and researcher/animator (at CKOI). A local business man (Sinray) came to talk about his work as owner and salesperson at his furniture, appliances and electronics store. There is still time to register for the 2016-2017 school year at 450 373-6922.

(Translated by Cathleen Johnston)