The UFC Comes to Alloway, NJ
Feb 2, 2011
(PRESS RELEASE) -- On December 17, 2010, middle school students at
Alloway Township School in Alloway, New Jersey, had a rare
opportunity to get up close and personal with a fighter from the
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Mr. Kurt Pellegrino took time
from training at Pellegrino Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Point
Pleasant, New Jersey, and discussed with students the importance of
setting goals and making good choices. “The goals that you guys
set,” he told them, “starts now.”
Growing up having a learning disability, Kurt was routinely told that he would not make it far in life, and that he should just “settle”. Despite the lack of support, Kurt stayed focused and maintained a positive attitude. “I believed in myself so much, I refused to quit what I wanted to do.”
During the assembly, Kurt stressed to the students how working hard and being committed were the keys to overcoming all types of obstacles, such as passing tests, dealing with bullies, or succeeding in sports. He also explained how you are your biggest fan, and that you should not allow yourself to get discouraged by negative people. “Don’t believe anything,” Kurt said, “unless you truly believe it.” Kurt now fights in the lightweight division of the UFC. Despite an injury from a previous fight, Kurt’s been intensely training in the hopes of coming back better and stronger. You can catch him in the upcoming UFC 128 Fight on March 19, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
After the assembly, students came off the bleachers hoping to ask him more questions, get an autograph, or just get an opportunity to say “hi”. With his down-to-earth, easygoing personality, Kurt was more than willing to speak with students personally, and even took time to complete a brief interview with a student from the school’s newspaper. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for both students and staff. Numerous students even stated afterwards that it was the best assembly ever, that they couldn’t wait to see Kurt fight in March, and that they were going to tell their families all about Kurt’s message about making good choices!
Growing up having a learning disability, Kurt was routinely told that he would not make it far in life, and that he should just “settle”. Despite the lack of support, Kurt stayed focused and maintained a positive attitude. “I believed in myself so much, I refused to quit what I wanted to do.”
During the assembly, Kurt stressed to the students how working hard and being committed were the keys to overcoming all types of obstacles, such as passing tests, dealing with bullies, or succeeding in sports. He also explained how you are your biggest fan, and that you should not allow yourself to get discouraged by negative people. “Don’t believe anything,” Kurt said, “unless you truly believe it.” Kurt now fights in the lightweight division of the UFC. Despite an injury from a previous fight, Kurt’s been intensely training in the hopes of coming back better and stronger. You can catch him in the upcoming UFC 128 Fight on March 19, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
After the assembly, students came off the bleachers hoping to ask him more questions, get an autograph, or just get an opportunity to say “hi”. With his down-to-earth, easygoing personality, Kurt was more than willing to speak with students personally, and even took time to complete a brief interview with a student from the school’s newspaper. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for both students and staff. Numerous students even stated afterwards that it was the best assembly ever, that they couldn’t wait to see Kurt fight in March, and that they were going to tell their families all about Kurt’s message about making good choices!
