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BMX Riders Bring High-Flying Lessons to Sherrard Middle School

By SHELLEY HANSON 4 min read

SHERRARD -- Sherrard Middle School students got a lesson in kindness, perseverance and pursuing their dreams Tuesday -- with a few high-flying BMX tricks mixed in.

Northern Air BMX riders Joseph Mednikoff of Saugerties, New York, and TJ Ettinger of Salt Lake City, Utah, brought their educational show to the school's parking lot, where students watched the riders perform tricks from ramps and over obstacles.

Mednikoff worked up the crowd before Ettinger performed a variety of tricks, including back flips off a ramp.

At one point, Mednikoff invited adult volunteers to lie on a mat in the center of the performance area. Ettinger then jumped over three and four adults on his bike, clearing them completely.

The program was made possible through fundraising by the Sherrard Middle School Booster Club. Booster Club Vice President Crystal Levacy, whose son Brantley "Bama" Levacy is an eighth grader at the school, said she wanted the BMX riders to visit to give students an entertaining and memorable program while also sharing an anti-bullying message.

"We raise money throughout the entire school year to provide anything to this school needed for our students," she said of the booster club. "No one is left out. We take care of every student.

"I have a soft spot in my heart for anti-bullying and kindness, unity and community," she said. "I'm a huge believer in community. I work with the community, the sports organizations and the school. Community is the foundation to a successful program especially when it comes to youth."

Levacy said she wants students to support one another and choose kindness over division.

"This was a great way to start off the school year," she said.

Buffalo Wild Wings of Moundsville also presented students with certificates for one free meal at the restaurant.

During the program, Mednikoff encouraged students not to be afraid of failure.

"Never be afraid to fail at your passions or your hobbies," he said. "If TJ and I stopped riding BMX after the first accident we ever had, we definitely wouldn't be standing in front of you here today. I'm not saying go out there and willingly fail at something, but it's OK to give yourself a chance to dare to be great at something.

"Because mistakes are our best teachers ... not only at BMX but at life in general. So don't be discouraged because you face a little bit of adversity early on with your passions and hobbies. There is always room to improve and learn from your mistakes as long as you stay committed, work hard and don't give up."

Mednikoff also encouraged students to treat one another with "dignity and respect." He said he and Ettinger have different BMX riding styles but do not put each other down. Instead, they encourage one another.

"The same applies to you with your friends and your peers within your passions and hobbies," he said. "There is always something to learn no matter how different someone might seem to you."

Mednikoff also shared his own experience of being teased as a child after struggling to speak English. Although he was born in the United States, his family spoke only Russian at home and he spent his first four years of school learning English.

"I was teased relentlessly for not being able to speak the English language, but fortunately for me I had some very good friends growing up who taught me how to read, who taught me how to write and learn the English language," he said.

He encouraged students to help classmates who may be struggling to learn English.

"You never know how much it might mean to that person," Mednikoff said.

The riders' next stop on their educational tour is Bangor, Maine. Mednikoff said they will visit schools throughout the Midwest through November.

Schools interested in booking a Northern Air BMX show can visit bullyfreeusa.com.

Starting at /week.