Winton Woods High School graduate and former National Football League player Brandon Miree came to Winton Woods Middle School to encourage students to do their best on the Ohio Achievement Tests. Miree, who played football for the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers before retiring to write and produce feature films, talked to the students about turning dreams into goals, overcoming obstacles to their education, and being successful.

Miree used an acronym that he learned as a young man, “E.A.S.Y. G.O.,” to help students think about how to live their lives. “E is for effort,” said Miree, as he told students to put their best effort into everything they do. “A is for attitude. Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% your attitude toward it.” Miree said that S stood for systems like school and the OAT test that are part of everyday life. “The OAT is designed to reward you if you try,” Miree said, “so try every answer.”

For Miree, the Y, G, and O from the acronym are linked together. “It’s up to You to make the most of every Opportunity that God gives you,” he said.

The assembly also included a performance by the Winton Woods High School “Spirited Steppers”--Skye Gillespie, Quentin Carr, Michael Speller II, Alandria Allen Tiffany Peterson Jasmin Beavers, Chris Jackson and their coach Evelyn Garcia. 

Principal Dwight Campbell was impressed with Miree’s message to his students and with Miree himself. “It says a lot about a man who once he has achieved a level of success to come back and give,” said Campbell.