Opening+General+Session

=**General Session** Manuel Medrano—ABC News=

Grew up really poor. When he was 7 parents divorced. Went to Harvard There is dignity in any work as long as you give a 110%. Cleaned bathrooms at Harvard while at Harvard Kept his eyes open. Turned into a jerk. Embarrassed to say. Lost in moot court. But he learned what success was.—Truly successful people in life have the confidence to be kind, generous and unpretentious. It was his first exposure to his own stereotypes when he lost to a white southerner. Realized great professionals can come from all walks of life. Thought about how he was able to get where he was. Thinks back to orchestra teacher in junior high. Drove him hard—loved him and hated him—he settled for nothing less than 110%.

After Harvard, went to Los Angeles to a law firm—after two years left became a federal prosecutor—took a major pay cut and was very scared

Tried a lot of cases—most proud of prosecuting the murderers of a federal drug agent. There was a contract out on his life for trying this case. Life was very difficult.

Trial lawyer for 13 years—never lost a jury case Went into broadcast journalism

O.J. Simpson case was perfect timing for him. Four years after he was hired by LA news affiliate he ended up being on t.v. everyday for hours b/c of the O.J. case. Continued to improve and was awarded an Emmy. Fear of failure can paralyze us. Mother said it is okay to fail; you just have to have the courage to try something new. What do you take away from failures to be a better person.

Awful stories as a reporter—weighs you down. But the flickers of hope, the human spirit energizes you. Are you doing everything you need to do to nurture relationships of family and friends? Are you mentoring kids?