Education messengers deliver one-two punch

What do Spider-Man, a fire chief, doctor and Burger King employee have in common?

All were on hand at a motivational presentation Friday, encouraging about 200 St. Joseph School keiki to take their education seriously.

“At the end of the day, I get to go home and feel good about myself,” Kazuo Todd, a battalion chief for the Hawaii Fire Department, told the students. “But at the end of the day, to become a fireman it takes a lot of education, a lot of time and a lot of work.”

The presentation was organized by Timothy Williams, president of a nonprofit called Golden Gloves — Education is Worth The Fight.

Williams said he visits schools throughout the country to spread his message to “put the gloves on” and “fight for an education.” He told the Tribune-Herald he has dyslexia and struggled with learning as a child but now “reads at a college level.” He said he eventually wants to visit every school in Hawaii.

“As a kid I always felt a little different,” he told the Tribune-Herald. “Even though I could play football, I couldn’t read. But I went back and got support … I’ve come to understand education and I just know kids got to stay focused. I want them to take education seriously.”

Williams’ animated presentation included talks by the various community members, a surprise foam-string spray by a participant dressed as Spider-Man and visits by other guests dressed as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” and Elsa from “Frozen.”

“I like seeing how everyone is dressed up and what they are,” said fourth-grader Jadelyn Villena, 10, as the costumed-participants sauntered through the auditorium. “It’s pretty cool.”

Email Kirsten Johnson at kjohnson@hawaiitribune-herald.com.