"I Act With Respect"

Matt Seehusen

"The impact that Coach’s message has on the lives of people of all ages is remarkable."

My name is Matt Seehusen and I am a senior at Saratoga Springs High School. I will be attending The Citadel after high school, where I will be taking ROTC with the United States Marine Corps. While at Saratoga Springs High School, I have played varsity football and varsity tennis.

How did you meet Coach Rich Johns?
Coach Johns was my sixth grade social studies teacher. Coach Johns’ class was always run very well, for he treated each student equally and did his best to help each student succeed. The qualities Coach Johns demonstrated as a teacher made it very easy for students to get along with and connect with him, for he still is connected in many of his former student’s lives today.

How did you hear about Act With Respect Always?
I heard about Act With Respect Always through Coach Johns’ social studies class. Coach Johns told his classes about the program shortly after it was started, and challenged us all to help spread his message. Coach’s message has now spread to many places throughout the country, and it is great to know that my classmates and I have been by his side since the beginning.

How has the Act With Respect Alway mission effected you personally?
The Act With Respect Always mission plays a very large role in my life. I am someone who knows that a little bit of respect can go a very long way, and I believe it is great to see a program with a goal to implement that ideology into our daily lives. The AWRA mission is one of positivity and reward, and I am very happy that this mission is a part of my life.

Please share with us how you have, or will in the future “Pay it Forward”
I do my best every day to “Pay it Forward”, in all aspects of my life. I am someone who holds myself to a high standard of honor and respect. For example, in the classroom setting, it is important for me to respect my teachers, for if I do, they will do their best to help me succeed in that academic field, and it will reassure them that they play an integral role in my life. Respect also plays a large role in my athletic career, for I believe that showing your opponents respect will not only set a positive tone for the contest itself, but will also set a good example for your teammates. After my education, I plan to join the United States Marine Corps, and organization founded on respect for others. I plan to use the things that I learned through Coach Johns and Act With Respect Always throughout my life, and to continue to “Pay it Forward” every chance I can.

How would you describe the Act With Respect Always mission to others?
I would describe Act With Respect Always as a mission whose goal is to integrate respect into the daily lives of all people. Act With Respect Always is also a personal challenge to push yourself every day to go above and beyond to show respect and care for those around you.

Would you recommend Rich to speak about Respect to others?
I would definitely recommend that Coach Johns speak about respect and his mission to others. I have known Coach Johns for many years now, and he is by far one of the most respectful and genuine men I have met. The impact that Coach’s message has on the lives of people of all ages is remarkable, and I believe that it needs to continue to be spread.