By LINDA HICKS
SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN

VILONIA You possess something and are in complete control of something most everyone wants, said Craig O'Neill, sports director at Channel 11, addressing students at Vilonia Primary School during a program held Thursday.

"Barack Obama, John McCain and Hillary want it so badly," O'Neill offered.

When he asked students if they knew what he was referring to, one little boy raised his hand. He knew exactly what O'Neill was referencing. Our attention, said second-grader Phillip Davis.

O'Neill said he was impressed the child answered correctly and declared him "King Phillip" for a day. This is the first time, he said, that he has ever visited a school and any child has given the correct answer.

"The rest of you bow down to him the rest of the day," he kidded.

When you pay attention to something, he said "it becomes instantly gold."

He challenged the students to also write a story on their "perfect day," every year and to take note of the changes.

"It will be a lot of fun," he said. "And, you will be paying attention to yourself."

Prior to O'Neill's delivering the thought-provoking message, he joked and clowned around with the students. When he was a child, he told the students he lived in an old house and enjoyed imitating the noises. On that note, he made the sounds of back porch swing, a ceiling fan, an electric can opener and an upstairs toilet. The laughter from the children filled the room.

Prior to O'Neill taking the stage, principal Brian Ratliff introduced him as "my friend I've known for several years." O'Neill joined Today's THV as sports director in 2000 after entertaining Arkansans for 30 years as a radio personality.

As students filed out of the event, O'Neill danced, shook hands and high-fived with many of them. Prior to leaving, O'Neill also told Ratliff that Davis is a "kid to be watched." O'Neill predicted that he will grow up to be somebody "important."

 

More Stories from Linda Hicks :     · City athletics program a hot topic in Vilonia - 07/24/08     · Mother knows best? - 07/17/08     · Vilonia board approves resignations - 07/13/08     · Fall Y'all Country Fair to encourage reading - 07/10/08     · Going FireWise - 07/10/08

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