Charles County State’s Attorney Tony Covington is speaking to high school students, urging them to think about where they want their path in life to lead.
“Your life is determined by your choices. Every choice has consequences,” Covington (D) told students. “These consequences are going to determine your future.”
Covington has brought his media presentation “Think About It” to two middle and three high schools this school year. Last week, Covington spoke with seniors and juniors at Westlake High School. On Monday he spoke to Westlake freshmen and sophomores.
“You need to decide right now, with the freedom to choose your own life comes a lot of responsibility to make sure you lead a successful life,” Covington told students.
Covington said that as a young man, he didn’t focus on his grades until an injury kept him away from an athletic scholarship. He went from a 2.0 GPA to a 4.0 in college before joining the United States Air Force, where he served as an intelligence officer.
Covington was elected state’s attorney in 2010, becoming the first African-American state’s attorney in the history of Charles County. He faces no challengers in seeking a third term this year.
Covington told students they don’t have to be wealthy to live a successful life.
“You take care of yourself, you take care of your family, that is a life well lived, and successful,” Covington said.
He also encouraged students to maximize their positive characteristics and strengths.
“Please understand that you were put on this planet for a reason. You are a unique gift. I know I am. I’m Tony Covington and I am a unique gift. I’ve got things I can do, and so does each and every one of you, because I’m no different from any one of you,” Covington told students. “And part of your reason here on Earth is to inspire others, whether it’s a brother, sister, father, mother, someone you meet in the hospital, that’s part of your job.”
Covington urged students to take good advice from people, advising students to avoid drugs and alcohol.
“I guarantee that if you wake up one day, and you see bars, and you’re on the inside of those bars, it is because of drugs or alcohol, one way or another,” Covington said. “People use drugs or alcohol to feel better about something instead of dealing with their reality.”
Westlake Principal Michael Meiser said he felt it was important to get Covington’s message out to students.
“His message and the things he has seen and dealt with in his profession are some things that you guys hopefully will never have to deal with,” Meiser told students. “But he has a great message about how to make wise decisions and how to handle difficult challenges and how he’s overcame those in his life.”
Originally Posted on Maryland Independent: