Highland Central School District faculty, administrators, and staff came together on September 2 for Opening Day, officially kicking off preparations for the 2026-2027 school year.

The day provided an opportunity for staff members from across the District to reconnect before students returned to school. In addition to welcome-back messages, employees received important updates and participated in department meetings as they prepared for the year ahead.

A highlight of the day was a powerful presentation from Sweethearts & Heroes founders Tom Murphy and Rick Yarosh, who shared their inspiring message of H.O.P.E.—“Hold On, Possibilities Exist”—and the important role individuals can play in creating cultures of empathy, belonging, resilience, and action.

Sweethearts & Heroes is a national organization dedicated to combating hopelessness and empowering individuals to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Its programs focus on building empathy and compassion while encouraging people to recognize when others need support and take action to help.

Murphy, a former All-American wrestler and UFC competitor, was joined by Yarosh, a retired U.S. Army sergeant and Purple Heart recipient whose personal story provided a powerful example of resilience and hope.

While serving in Iraq, Yarosh was severely injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) on September 1, 2006. He suffered second- and third-degree burns over more than 60 percent of his body and lost his right leg below the knee, among other serious injuries. Following six months of recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, Yarosh ultimately turned his experience with adversity into a mission to help others discover the possibilities that remain even during life's most difficult moments.

Drawing on their experiences, Murphy and Yarosh encouraged Highland staff to recognize the impact they can have by showing up for others, offering support, building connections, and taking action when someone needs help.

Their message provided an inspiring start to the new school year and a meaningful reminder of the important role Highland's educators and staff members play each day—not only in helping students learn and grow, but also in making sure they feel supported, valued, and that they belong.

With Opening Day complete, Highland staff were ready to put that message into action as they welcomed students back to school on September 8.