“Aye, you were wrong, you were wrong about me, you were wrong about me,” rings throughout the gymnasium, coupled with the sharp sounds of students clapping their hands above their head to the thumping chorus.
On Thursday, April 3rd, the Stockbridge school district was presented with the Lion Heart Experience, led by former educator, Joe Vercellino and his former student, Tae Sosa.
Vercellino was a teacher from Voyageur Academy in Detroit who won the regional teacher of the year in 2021 from the Michigan Department of Education. Both Vercellino and Sosa then began creating original, inspiring songs and performing them for local teens. Since then, they’ve expanded into the state of Michigan, and even other states.
“Our message is actually a mindset and belief we try to help young people to understand: they have an inherent sense of worth and value and that their life may turn out to be something amazing, no matter how messy it might look right now,” Vercellino said. “Through music, powerful reflection, and paint, our crew is changing the way young people see themselves, and we are eager to reach further and further.”
The Lion Heart Experience was also brought to all of the schools within the district. Meghan Kunzelman, Heritage principal, sees the importance of both staff and students knowing their value and self-worth. She believes that the assembly has had a large impact on people’s everyday lives.
“I think that the assembly had a positive impact on both staff and students within the district,” Kunzelman said. “At Heritage, staff have incorporated the Lion Heart Music into their warmups, and they play it during brain breaks or independent work time. Teachers are also trying to continue carrying out the language of turning messes into masterpieces.”
The Lion Heart Experience has even had a positive impact on the community outside of the school. Thursday night, Lion Heart held a community performance at the school with open admissions.
“We never know how many people will actually come and attend community events when they are held after school, but we were pleasantly surprised with a great turnout. There were 300-350 people in attendance, and all of them were talking positively about the performances,” Kunzelman said.
Eighth grader Karrigan Smith, is one student who appreciated how the assembly focused on believing in yourself and surrounding yourself with positive people.
“I liked how it revolved more around mental and physical stuff and friendships,” Smith said.
Sophomore Emily Satkowiak was another student who enjoyed the assembly. Satkowiak particularly enjoyed the crowd engagement as well as participation.
“I felt energetic because the music was upbeat. It was very engaging and it was relatable for the kids in our generation of age,” Satkowiak said, “I felt happy because the music was very entertaining and I was enjoying myself.”
