Email

Print

But, he also has another mission - and that's to connect with young people from communities similar to the one where he grew up. And so, after eating a full plate of rice and beans at Bird's Isle, Gibson went to the Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence to speak to a group of excited students. Sahar Vasquez was there:

Sahar Vasquez reporting
Kendis Gibson last came to Belize in May but he did not get to do something he was really eager to do: share his success story with his fellow Belizeans, but this time around he got his opportunity.

This afternoon he spoke to a group of children from St. Luke's Methodist Primary school about his journey to success and dazzled not just the minds of the children but the minds of the adults with his wise words and that telegenic charisma that we've seen on TV.

After his speech, an excited Gibson shared a little of what his motivational message is.

Kendis Gibson, ABC News Anchor and Correspondent
"I want to be able to speak with some kids and meet with some kids and try to inspire them and let them realize I was in the same position that they were wearing these uniforms and sitting in these chairs. A little while ago but I was in that position and they can achieve I won't say greatness but different things with their lives."

"You can figure out your own goal whether it is right here in Belize or elsewhere. In the TV broadcasting business or in the radio broadcasting business and get the same level comparatively of success, wherever that might be. I am at ABC and it is considered successful by many many people in the US and here but the level of happiness that you get with whatever you're doing and having success in it can be right on par with what I have at ABC."

In the world of American television, the Emmy is the highest honor, and Gibson is a proud two time Emmy winner. In fact, this May he just won another DayTime Emmy award with ABC for being a part of an Outstanding Morning News program. Gibson brought his precious Emmy award with him and when he took it out of the black box he safely keeps it in the audience was in a state of awe. He explained how it felt to receive this prestigious award.

Kendis Gibson, ABC News Anchor and Correspondent
"It's like winning Queen of the Bay I guess. Yea I mean it takes a little bit of work and just putting together the right package and that would make the judges happy but it is also a culmination of a whole lot of hard work over the realm of a career."

"So the last one is a group Emmy with Good Morning America which we won in May and so the last time I was here I had no idea that, that was going to happen and so this was a nice little gift."

After his speech one of the very impressed and inspired students shared that Gibson has helped her to believe that she can reach her goals by working hard. She hopes to be even more successful than Gibson.

Mikayla Richards, St. Lukes Methodist Primary School
"It makes me feel that I can do what he did and be like how he is right now. I can reach my goals by just paying attention in class and reaching my goals that I choose to."

"I want to do something better than what he is doing right now. I want to save lives and help children to become better than they already are."

Tomorrow afternoon, he will hold similar forums at Belmopan Comprehensive High and the University of Belize.