Photo credits: Joe Mastraccio, Sanford Middle School
Students at Sanford Middle School had a special start to the weekend last Friday. Thanks to the support of Southern Maine Healthcare, students spent their morning with Chris Poulos, a world champion athlete, youth motivational speaker, and aspiring author who presents spectacular BMX bicycle stunts alongside powerful life lessons.
As Chris weaved back and forth across the SMS gym, students were captivated by his performance. But his presentation did much more than entertain. Students hung onto every word Chris shared, as he tactfully integrated stunts within his message at key moments to capture students’ attention and give shape to the lessons he shared.
Chris opened by sharing that he “keeps life simple” as he follows three simple rules: treat everyone with respect and kindness, prepare for everything the night before, and do everything to the best of your ability. Throughout his presentation, he seamlessly shifted through topics ranging from personal politeness and choosing career paths to safety and even substance abuse prevention, offering timeless, age-appropriate insight while remaining considerate of the varied backgrounds and life experiences of the students in the room.
While Chris’s own life took an unconventional path, he encouraged students to approach their futures with both ambition and a grounded sense of judgement. “If you wanna do something weird in life, have a backup plan,” he said. Chris discussed that although his dream was always to be an athlete, he also pursued an education in physical education to give himself an alternative path forward. In doing so, Chris showed Sanford students that they don’t have to pick and choose between pursuing what they’re passionate about and making responsible decisions that promote their success and wellbeing.
Chris not only wowed students with his abilities, but he also demonstrated what it means to walk - or ride - with humility. “The only difference between me and another person is I ride a bike for a job,” he shared, reminding students that everyone deserves respect. When he challenged students to consider how they could earn others’ respect, dozens of hands shot up with answers echoing the missional values that Sanford School Department strives to instill in these young learners.
SMS Outreach Coordinator Cecilia Ciriani, who organized the visit, put it this way: “He talked with them, not at them.” That distinction was evident in the way students responded to Chris throughout the morning, many rushing to speak with him after the presentation, with some even helping carry his bike and equipment as he cleared the gym.
Through his unique athletic talent, wise insights, and genuine demeanor, Chris gave SMS students a lasting reminder to pursue their ambitions with purpose, humility, and respect for others.
Sanford School Department is grateful to Southern Maine Healthcare for providing the grant that made this visit possible, and to Chris, who embodied Spartan values for Sanford students in a way only he could.