Herber Students Get Pumped Up For Learning

There were cheerleaders, chants, a mascot and plenty of school spirit but this wasn't your typical pep rally.

Instead of getting pumped up for an upcoming sporting event, students at Howard T. Herber Middle School in Malverne channeled their excitement for learning at an educational pep rally last month.

Teachers, adminstrators, coaches, the Malverne Mule and even President Barack Obama played a role in getting students fired up about succeeding in school.

Likening the school to a sports field, Herber Principal Steven Gilhuley told students that with the coaching of their teachers, plenty of practice and hard work they would be a winning team.

He even brought in a real coach - Coach Mike Taylor of the Malverne Wildcats and Lakeview Little League - to inspire the student body.

"It’s not what you have or what you don’t have that makes you a great person," Taylor told them. "It’s what you have in your heart and what you do with life’s opportunity that dictates who you are and who you will be."

In between the fun and games, he shared his personal story of overcoming obstacles with the boys and girls and added, "You see I was once you, I was just like you, and I would like for you to be better than me!"

And to further stress the importance of a solid education and personal responsibility, they brought in a special guest speak to 'address' the kids.

Watch the video report above.