Forsan Junior High and High School extends their appreciation to Dustin Shelhamer speaking to the students this afternoon.
Leadership, faith, and a humble heart are just a few of the things that guest speaker Dustin Shelhamer addressed as he visited with Forsan Junior High and High School students.
Shelhamer is a Howard County resident who has served as part of the Federal Disaster Response Team, National Disaster Medical System, and has a 25-year public service career. Throughout the course of his career he assisted with major national disasters including the Oklahoma City Bombing, World Trade Center attacks, and Hurricane Katrina. he
He spoke to students about how his faith led to his growth and restoration of relationships as well as his battle with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
“I gave my life to Christ on Sept. 9, the same day I discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jisu. It’s kind of ironic that the two things happened at the same time,” “I had been a believer in Christ my whole life … I hadn’t been a follower of Christ.”
In addition to his public service career, Shelhamer is a three-time World Champion and three-time Pan American Champion.
Shelhamer reminded the students that while they are going to get knocked back in life, how they respond is what matters; take one step forward. Try not to step backward.
“When these coaches, teachers, parents, adults are pushing you in a way you don’t want to go - take that path. These people have lived that, they’ve walked that, and they understand the problems you aren’t seeing yet.”
Shelhamer will be the guest speaker at the 12th annual Howard County Bowl on Friday.