From left, Brad and Jaydian Johnson spoke at a Love Elementary School assembly about the virtues of doing the right thing, getting an education, staying in school and chasing one’s dreams, Thursday afternoon. P J Photo by Christopher Blakeslee

For Jamestown High School basketball standout, Jaydian Johnson and his father, Brad Johnson, having a positive impact on school-aged kids is a priority for the duo.

The Johnsons were the special guest speakers at a Love Elementary school assembly Thursday afternoon.

“It’s about having goals and staying in school,” explained Jaydian to the assembled student body. “Education is important.”

Jaydian, his father and his mother all attended Love Elementary school as children and have a long and storied family history with this institution of learning.

“Three generations of our family have attended school here,” said Brad. “I’m sure some of these teachers have some stories they could tell you about me, and they probably are not all that positive.”

Brad then continued to explain how the “path” he took in life almost ended his.

“I got involved with drugs and dealing with them…I went for the quick money, and I almost ended up in jail for life,” he said. “The only thing to be found in that life…. is jail or death. Instead, look at my son, he gets good grades, he stays in school, he’s got goals he wants to achieve -to play basketball for a college team and then the NBA (National Basketball Association). He doesn’t run the streets, like I did.”

For the principal of Love school, special guest speakers like this enhance the education the school provides.

“This is part of our students’ social and emotional education,” said Cynthia Johnson. “Guest speakers like Jaydian add value and give the students a positive-role model.”

For Brad Johnson it appears he couldn’t be prouder of his son, and giving back to the school, which was so formative in his younger days is something that is important to him.

“It’s breathtaking to see my son interacting with the kids at Love,” he said. “Love is a great school, with great staff and they really care about our kids. The fact that I can be here, with my son, speaking at our elementary school is humbling.”

At the conclusion of Jaydian and Brad’s pep-talk, Jaydian performed a demonstration of his basketball prowess to include layups; slam dunks; trick shots; half-court shots; foul line shots and working with individual kids on their basketball skills. Much to the delight of those in attendance, with each shot that he sank the students in attendance would erupt into applause and shouts of excitement.