Student Programs
Live + Virtual Presentations + Workshops
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Students appreciate Fran Kick’s fast-paced, down-to-earth, real-world, enthusiasm and interactive approach. Bring Fran Kick to your next event and inspire more students to motivate themselves so they can KICK IT IN and TAKE THE LEAD!
STUDENTS IN GRADES 6–12 have KICKed IT IN with Fran Kick at school assemblies, leadership workshops, team building programs, student government retreats, peer leader training, annual new student or welcome back presentations, multi-school and district events.
COLLEGE STUDENTS attending new student orientations, convocations, first-year programs, guest speaker series, R.A. training, team building programs, student government retreats, leadership training, and campus-wide events have KICKed IT IN with Fran Kick.
TOPICS for presentation themes include:
- Paying attention and responding appropriately
- The more you put into it, the more you get out of it
- What you put into it, is what you get out of it
- If you’re whining, griping and complaining, having a terrible time—maybe that’s why!
- Positive attitude vs. negative attitude—you ultimately make the difference
- Getting involved and cooperatively contributing
- The discipline of focus and the power of attention
- Positively reinforcing yourself and others to make positive choices
- Leading by example—because you can’t lead others until you lead yourself
REVIEWS (Jr/Sr High)
REVIEWS (College)
DETAILS
REVIEWS (Jr/Sr High)
“Fran Kick was dynamic, energetic, and RELEVANT as he spoke to the middle school and high school students in Allen County. Whether the group was large (300-400 students) or small (15 students), his message was important and his activities 100% engaging. Everyone of every age can find value in what Fran Kick has to say. Being present, paying attention, giving each task your best effort and not wasting time blaming others are words of wisdom we all need to hear every day. I would love to be able to sponsor him in every school district…and we are working on it!”
Barbara Duval, Curriculum Supervisor
Allen County Educational Service Center
“The positive feedback from the students and staff that attended the presentation was astounding. It is safe to say that everyone took something with them from the presentation that they can apply to their individual success and the success of our school. The information in your speech and the passion that you demonstrated as you presented the material were ‘exactly what the doctor ordered.’ As an administrator, I appreciate that you focused our students on their efficacy. You helped our students understand that their attitudes, dispositions, values, and work ethic can impact their lives, the success of our school, the community, the nation, and indeed the world!”
Rodney Smith, Assistant Principal
Ben Davis High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
“Picture this: A room full of high school students who are watching intently, listening to every word, on the edge of their seats, their attention glued to the speaker. It certainly is one of my dreams! This is the picture I saw as Fran talked to my students. The image is still fresh in my mind because it was so unbelievable! His program was so wonderful that we are considering having him back to talk to the faculty. Yes, his words are for young and old alike and for any group that I can think of. He speaks about success in life. He speaks about responsibility and commitment. My advice is this: Do whatever you can. Call in every favor. Beg. Borrow. Fund raise. But don’t let the opportunity to have Fran Kick do a presentation go by. I promise you that you will find his words most inspiring.”
“What most impressed me about your program was the energy and humor you brought with you and shared with our students. I appreciated the interactive, yet controlled environment that you created for the students. The students were certainly active but realized that a certain amount of order was expected from them. As a former assistant principal, I found this program to be well worth the time out of the classroom!”
Christian Riso, Assistant Superintendent
Diocese of Buffalo Catholic Schools, New York
“Your presentation to our 565 seventh and eighth graders (and their teachers) was extraordinary. I watched in amazement while you pulled them into your ideas. They were hanging on every word, nodding in recognition of your examples, holding their sides with laughter and have been talking about your message ever since. Those of us who work with adolescents feel that special frustration of wanting to get them motivated but sensing that our ‘preaching’ does not sink in. You talk with them, not at them. Your energy and wit make the concepts real.”
Millie Montgomery, Assistant Principal
Woodward Academy, Georgia
“I was so impressed with your enthusiasm, delivery, focus and message that I just had to have you come and help us start our school year. Usually a speaker of your caliber is reserved for state student council conventions. The problem with that is only a few students from each school ever get to hear such a speaker. The three assemblies you did for us, one to each of our sixth, seventh and eighth grades, was done with such enthusiasm and organization and purpose. You had enough examples, funny stories, audience participation, and mannerisms to keep rapt attention of over 200 students of each grade for 60 minutes. The time actually didn’t seem like more than 20 minutes, but was indeed a full 60 minutes! You have quite a talent and I would recommend your presentation to other groups”
Judy Wingert, Teacher
Gridley Middle School, Arizona
“Fran kept the youth energized, motivated and ready to Kick It In. The youth were challenged to change the way they thought about the issues facing them. They were also challenged to motivate themselves out of defeated thinking and look at how they could come up with solutions to issues they faced. We can’t wait to be able to bring KICKin’ IT IN! back to Oklahoma!”
Gail Boe, Communities of Excellence Director/Prevention Coordinator
The Osage Nation, Oklahoma
“What a way to end the summer and start the school year with your ‘Kick It In’ assemblies. From our smallest school to our largest, the students listened, participated and will never forget your message. You are a gentleman, a gentle man, a scholar, and an inspiration to youth around the world. It is an honor to know you.”
Sheri Marple-Mashburn, MHR, Community Liaison
The Osage Nation, Oklahoma
“I want you to know that the positive effects of the work you did with my students are still being felt. Your program was exciting, energetic and full of impact on both student and teacher attitudes. They were able to understand your message because you were able to communicate with them in a way that made them feel important and valuable. I have seen a sense of pride developing within the group. They feel good about themselves and their mission. They are one fired-up group of kids right now and I keep telling them it only gets better from here. KICK IT IN is a fun, exciting, meaningful program that has great potential for affecting positive changes in the world we live in. I honor the work you are doing and wish you continued success!”
John Nepper, Teacher
Bullen Junior High School, Wisconsin
“Through the course of life we are blessed to meet people that impact us in unforgettable ways. You have been one of those people for me. I was so proud to have you on my campus today because I believe in your message and what you are doing. Thank you for being a part of our journey.”
Jerell Horton, Teacher
Vestavia Hills High School, Alabama
“Thank you for the remarkable presentation you made to our 7–12 students. You worked wonders with such a diverse assemblage. The kids were overwhelmingly responsive–even the ones who are often ‘too cool’ to participate. Your message struck the right chord with our students because they were still talking about it several days later.”
Neal Wedum, Principal
Choteau Public Schools, Montana
“Students acquired a foundation on which to build and shape their ideas for the best way to implement a leadership program, supporting their own needs as well as those of their fellow students. One student shared this: ‘It reminded me of certain skills I will need to get: what I want and what I need in life.”
Anita Williams, Principal
Winton Woods High School, Cincinnati, Ohio
“You certainly know how to get kids’ attention and motivate them towards their future. I really liked how you involved them vs. just talking at them. Your message about ‘paying attention and responding appropriately’ ties in so well with what we strive to do—teaching young people to think for themselves. So that, as you put it, they can ‘figure things out on their own’ focusing their potential to kick it in and take the lead!!”
Hugh O’Brian
2006 HOBY World Leadership Conference
REVIEWS (College)
“I have seen Fran teach and present, many times. He is magical in his connection to an audience. Whether they are undergraduate or graduate students, or whether they are experienced working professionals, he captures their minds and hearts from the first seconds of his time with them. He is creative, energetic, focused, funny, fun, and passionate about developing better leadership and smarter followership.”
T. Scott Graham, Ph.D., Lt Col (USAF Retired)
Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice of Leadership
Director, The OSU Leadership Academy for Peak Performance
Director, The OSU Leadership Academy for Peak Performance
“Thank you so much for performance again this year! [19th year in a row!] It was fantastic as always. We are always happy to have you. I will let you know shortly about the dates for next year! Best of luck to you on your future performances and thanks again for helping to make our Orientation program great!”
Jade Leitzel, Orientation Assistant Director
Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
“The feedback has been very positive from both the freshmen and the Orientation staff. Your enthusiasm and ability to hold the attention of nearly 1,000 students for over an hour was obvious to me and all others present. Your motivational message was also just what we were looking for, and I have used it as an example in several discussions with different groups of freshmen since then. I know there is interest from the Orientation staff to have you return next year.”
Frederick Lorensen, Director of Freshman Development
Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
“WOW! What an exciting event! Your sixty-minute presentation, Getting a KICK out of Your First Year, at the Freshman Convocation was absolutely terrific! Relaying a message to 1,300 students and parents, who not only listened but participated in your presentation, you shared with them how to pay attention and respond appropriately to opportunities on campus, positively reinforce yourself and others to make healthy choices, and get involved and cooperatively contribute to campus life at the University of Southern Indiana. I believe that our campus community will be better for having experienced your challenge to KICK IT IN!”
Tamara Kelso, Director of Student Development
University of Southern Indiana
“The program you presented for the student leaders was very well received. The information you shared with us was timely and useful. You helped crystallize their concepts and ideas which they can now implement more effectively. The evening program for all students was very effective and I was surprised how many students attended! Once again, your style enabled the students to learn a great deal in a short period of time. Your quick read of the students was appreciated and your sense of humor an added delight.”
Michael Poll, former Director of Student Activities
St. John Fisher College, New York
“You started off our quest for leadership by challenging students to step outside their comfort zone and take advantage of the many opportunities for growth and learning throughout the day. Not only were students challenged, but they were also energized by your witty comments and exciting activities throughout your keynote. The variety of activities you employed were applicable to the college audience, and really started off our day on a positive note!”
Sarah Beck & Megan Moore, Leadership Quest Advisors
Indiana University
“KICK IT IN was GREAT! You captured student attention, you provided a strong sense of motivation and offered empowerment to those feeling anxious about the new experience of college. It is my belief that students not only need the skills inherent in post secondary education but they also need to believe in themselves. Your validation of that theme ably set the stage for continuing action on our part!”
Theodore Zern, Associate Dean
Western New England College, Massachusetts
“Wow, what a great presentation to the students participating in the Hillsborough Community College’s SOAR Peer Leadership Training Program in September. You are making a difference in their lives. You got them to look outside themselves, look at the bigger picture, and how they relate to that scenery.”
Claire Jordan, Student Activities Advisor
Hillsborough Community College, Florida
“…nothing short of amazing. The students who were bidding for this conference felt so strongly that Fran Kick was the best speaker for this event, that they used their student organization money to sponsor the event! There were no other speakers even considered. I can assure you that this was money well spent. I had the privilege of seeing the presentation myself as well as witness the reaction and participation from the delegates. There were over 160 students and advisors in the room from all over the region and virtually everyone was engaged! I am sure I don’t have to tell you that that is a rare occurrence for any speaker, let alone the fact that these people had been traveling all day to get here! The conference team has been given overwhelmingly positive feedback on Fran’s performance, most of it being ‘I loved him!’”
Bonnie Byrne, CAACURH Regional Advisor
Central Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls
“Fran you were awesome @ LeaderShape. Thanks for giving the students so much this past week.”
Robert E. Baney III, Director
The LeaderShape Institute
DETAILS
GROUP SIZE: As few as 40 to audiences as large as 10,800+ Fran Kick interactively inspires individuals to be more self-motivated and develop the personal leadership they need to succeed.
PROGRAM LENGTH: Available for a series of short sessions, 20-minute to 90-minute keynote with breakout presentations, as well as 3-hour (half-day) and 6-hour (full-day) facilitated workshops, retreat programs, and events.
ROOM SETUP: Fran’s goal is to be the easiest speaker, presenter, consultant you have ever dealt with. His setup needs are few and because every program is different, every location is different, every audience is different, he will always confirm exact setup and AV requests prior to the program. There are however a few items that are typically suggested:
AUDITORIUM/THEATER: Perfect with an open stage that is well lit and house lights up—no spotlights needed.
CONVENTION MEETING ROOMS: Set with chairs (ideally no tables) in a curved-row theater-style arrangement. This Audience-Centered Seating™ approach creates the most comfortable, viewable, and focused presentation possible. If the audience size will be over 400 and the room has a flat floor, a few 12–24 inch high platform risers would be suggested.
MICROPHONE: Wireless hand-held for audiences over 100.
A/V: Large flip pad of paper on an easel. No PowerPoint® will be used!
ADDITIONAL A/V: Large video monitor (for smaller groups <100) or a video projector with large screen (for larger groups >100). HDMI cable with audio.
Again, these items are only listed here for general pre-planning purposes so you know what might be needed. Any and all specific AV requests for your program will be finalized prior to the program. Fran Kick is a down-to-earth, humble, professional without the primo-uomo attitude or divo-like demands. You’ll absolutely love working with Fran’s non-egotistical, non-narcissistic personality, and non-self-aggrandizing attitude. His authentic approach is solely focused on making YOU look good and inspiring your group to enthusiastically engage in KICKin’ IT IN!
FRAN KICK has been inspiring college, university, high school, junior high, and middle school students across North America to KICK IT IN® and TAKE THE LEAD since 1986. With a B.A. in Education, an M.A. in Educational Psychology, and three recently college-graduated children of his own, Fran knows What Makes Kids KICK!
“One of the phenomenal aspects of Mr. Kick’s speech was no one got up to to anywhere (apparently nature only calls during boring assemblies).”
Michelle Spitka, High School Student