Parents and students with the Laurel School District were motivated to achieve higher heights during a series of motivational presentations given by Dr. Fairest Hill, a nationally-known motivational speaker and recording artist.

“Living life successfully is turning obstacles into opportunities,” Hill told those attending a parents meeting Tuesday night. “The key to achieving greatness is to maximize the seeds of potential within you.”

Hill, who was born and raised in the inner city of Detroit, Michigan, visited the Laurel School District this week and addressed the students and parents of the city schools during a series of gatherings Monday and Tuesday.

Hill spoke at a parent meeting titled “Positive Parenting in Challenging Times” Tuesday night at Laurel High School. During the meeting, Hill encouraged the parents to “Live Before You Die.”

“It’s all about your attitude,” Hill said. “If you want something you never had, you’re going to have to do something you have never done.”

Hill told parents, and the numerous young people attending the evening session, that it’s important for them to realize that “my destiny is up to me. It doesn’t matter how I begin, what matters most is how I end.”

Hill said he went from being placed in a special education classroom to graduating from high school with honors. He continued his education, and has received degrees in business administration, as well as a doctorate in divinity.

“Don’t let your haters keep you down,” Hill told the group. “ Let your haters be your elevator.”

During his career, Hill has collaborated and performed with such artists as the Winan’s, God’s Property, The Gap Band, New Edition, InSync and others.

Hill is the founder/CEO of Youth on the Move, USA, Inc. and Vision Production and Publishing Company. He is also the author of a book titled “Yes, You Can Win - The ABC’s of Success,” and has released his fourth project, “This is Your Moment,” which is rapidly becoming a radio favorite across the country along with the song “It’s a New Season,” which was featured on the Bobby Jones Top 20 Gospel Radio Countdown, a nationally syndicated radio broadcast.

Hill told the parents Tuesday that change is necessary.

“President Barack Obama can change the White House, but he cannot change your house,” Hill said. “Change comes from taking personal responsibility for your actions.”

Hill said when parents have issues and refuse to deal with them, they are ultimately passed on to their offspring. He said “much of what our children are dealing with today are issues that have never been resolved. They are fear, anger, hatred, envy, jealous, bitterness, resentment and addictions.”

“You can’t expect our children to change, if we don’t change,” he added. “You teach what you know, but you reproduce who you are.”

Kendra Covington, director of state and federal programs for the Laurel School District, said her programs sponsored Hill’s visits at the recommendation of Laurel Middle School Principal Jeannine Agee, and Covington said, she was “very impressed” with his message.

“He did a wonderful job. It was very uplifting and positive,” Covington said. “The children, teachers and the parents really enjoyed it.”

Agee, who was instrumental in getting Hill to come to Laurel, said Hill’s message was positive, and it touched on issues that local parents and others needed to hear.

“I think he has a positive message for parents,” Agee said. “He has a message of hope that details that no matter what it looks like on the outside, if we as parents continue to be there for our children, they can achieve.”

Many of the parents and students attending the event said they were glad they came.

Jennifer Walker, a parent who has a child at Nora Davis Elementary School and Laurel Middle School, said she was impressed.

“He was an awesome speaker,” Walker said. “He said a lot of things we needed to hear.

“It was very much needed for the children and the parents,” the mother added. “I think it will open our eyes to a lot of things.”

Lisa Heidelberg, another parent, agreed.

“It was just great,” Heidelberg said. “I’m so glad I came. He was inspiring for us all.”

Laurel School District Superintendent Dr. Glenn McGee said the parent meeting was “a wonderful opportunity for parents to hear a positive message designed specifically for them.”

Dr. McGee said it’s important for parents to become involved in their children’s education.

“We must, as parents and educators, work together to enhance our children’s success,” he said. “We need parents to become involved and tonight’s event was designed to motivate our parents to become involved in their children’s future.”

Hill, who has a desire to reach as many as one million youth per year, now tours extensively performing concerts and conducting youth seminars. While his seminars are punctuated by music and humor, his message of making good decisions, developing internal motivation and character is a serious call for change to young people. He shares his personal story of overcoming defeat and negative life circumstances with perseverance, dedication and the right attitude.

McGee said because of the response Hill’s messages has received, the school district will sponsor him again in the future.