Feb. 23, 2010

When Midshipman Ricky Dobbs heard that Jennifer Schrader's first grade class at the Naval Academy Primary School (NAPS) said "Ricky Dobbs is our Hero", he could not resist doing a surprise visit to their class this past Wednesday.

In a conversation between myself and Captain Morgan Jones, the 1st Battalion Officer at the Naval Academy, I shared that my son, Anthony Vallario, and his classmates really admire quarterback Ricky Dobbs and they all say that he is their hero! Captain Jones asked me if I would like Ricky to visit his class and of course the answer was "are you serious, yes"!

The school visit coincided with Anthony's 7th birthday and what a great surprise it was.

Ricky asked the kids how many of them wanted to go to college. All of the children raised their hands high. Ricky spoke to them about making plans for their future and to start now by doing their best in their studies and following their dreams. He told them to "listen very carefully as I will be testing you when I'm done speaking to see if you were paying attention to what I was saying". Ricky continued with offering "the first one that has the correct answer to my questions will get to try on my football helmet".

When Ricky was done speaking, he asked Anthony and the group of boys he was sitting with "what did I say first"? Well, they had an answer, but it was the last thing Ricky said in his story. The first lucky winner to try on Ricky's helmet was Julia Starrett. She was beaming and grinning from ear to ear and wore the helmet proud. Of course all of the children were able to get Ricky's autograph and try on the helmet before they had to return to class.

Before they returned to their class, Principle Devon Clouse was introduced to Ricky and was greeted with one of Ricky's famous hugs. Mrs. Clouse's son, Austin, is currently a Midshipman at the Naval Academy, Class of 2012. Mrs. Clouse thanked Ricky for taking the time to come and visit the children. She also allowed Ricky to visit both 4th grade classes, one of which Anthony's big sister Allison resides in. Allison spilled the beans to her 4th grade class the morning of the visit that her little brother's class was going to get to meet Ricky Dobbs, so they were wishing the same would happen for them - and it did!

"When I was a young boy, we never had anyone visit our school, but I remember what it felt like to admire someone and wanting to meet them," said Dobbs. "I wanted to do this for these elementary kids. I loved the visit more than they did."