Thomas

CONRAD — “Holding true to what you believe is important in life and it will be tested in the most difficult situations. How will you react when life surprises you with adversity? Life presents you with opportunities in both good and bad situations but how an individual responds to those opportunities are crucial.”

This is the mission statement of Parkersburg educator, speaker and author Aaron Thomas who will bring his motivational message to Conrad on 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church. Through his message audience members will be challenged to look at his or her life, family and job to see if they are maximizing the circumstances each have been presented with.

This is the final presentation in the series of guest speakers that accompanied the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum on Main Street traveling exhibit “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America,” which is in its final three weeks in Conrad. The exhibit is co-sponsored by Conrad Chamber Main Street, Main Street Iowa and the Smithsonian Institute. It is open daily at the Alexander meeting room of the Conrad Public Library from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

After graduating from Aplington-Parkersburg High School, Thomas attended Drake University where he was a four year letter winner on their basketball team. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Thomas did a short stint at St. Cloud State as a graduate assistant basketball coach.

He then proceeded to take a job in education at Union High School in LaPorte City. While working at Union High School, he served as the Assistant Principal, Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach. Thomas then furthered his education by getting his master’s degree from Drake University in Educational Administration.

Currently Thomas is the principal and the head basketball coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High School. Aaron, his wife Ellie and their three boys are also active members in the Congregational Church.

Thomas’ father Ed was a beloved high school football coach who not only trained generations of players on the importance of hard work, dedication, excellence and commitment but personally put these values into action when he was the community leader who inspired his town to rebuild in the wake of a deadly EF-5 tornado. Not long after the community withstood the disaster of the storm, the small town of Parkersburg endured another tragedy: the fatal shooting of Ed Thomas by a former player with some mental health issues.

Following his father’s murder, Aaron was approached to return home to take over his father’s responsibilities as athletic director and to continue the legacy his father had built in being not only a school leader but an example for the town to follow.

Thomas has spoken to a wide array of groups which include middle school, high school and college students. He has also spoken at faculty educational in-services, various businesses, churches and many other organizations. He has a passion for impacting lives and public speaking is one avenue he utilizes.

His speaking topics can vary but they most typically address how to deal with adversity, making the most of all opportunities and the power of one.