Philadelphia Eagles’ Will Shipley encourages Downingtown students to lead with kindness and hard work
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley visited Downingtown Area School District (DASD), sharing an inspiring message about leadership, kindness, and hard work with elementary students. The visit, organized by the DASD Office of Student Relations and School Climate (SRSC), supported the district’s focus on belonging and teamwork.
Shipley visited West Bradford and Pickering Valley Elementary Schools, where students and staff welcomed him while proudly wearing Eagles green.
During his visit, Shipley shared personal stories about overcoming challenges and setting big goals, and he encouraged students to be kind to each other. Following his discussion with students, he participated in an interactive game and a Q&A session. Throughout the visit, he emphasized a core message about consistency and effort in all tasks.
“If there’s one piece of advice that I’ve continued to carry along the way with me, it’s ‘How you do anything, is how you do everything’,” Shipley told the students. “You can apply that to when you try to be the best student, or the best son or daughter, any little task, if you go forth with the same effort that you would the most important thing in your life, then you’re going to be a great human all around. Not just in the big moments.”
Reflecting on Shipley’s visit, Justin Brown, Director of SRSC, said: “This visit is more than just a conversation about sports,” said Brown. “Will’s message of perseverance, leadership, and kindness reflects the values we strive to instill in every student. By encouraging students to lead with empathy, work hard, and support one another, we’re building a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to succeed.”
DASD thanks Will Shipley for generously volunteering his time to visit and speak with students. Through experiences like Shipley’s visit, the district continues to emphasize the importance of kindness, connection, and engagement, ensuring that students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
