Inspirational speaker John O’Leary gave a presentation at the Fox Theatre in McCook on Friday. Eight Wauneta-Palisade students were in attendance with School Counselor Betsy Johanson along as a sponsor.
    The WP students $40 tickets to the presentation was paid for by the McCook Optimist Club.
    “It was so good, it was awesome,” said Johanson.
    His talk was part of Fall Enrichment Day for Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC). O’Leary’s message was one of hope, perseverance and survival based on his own experiences.
    At age nine, O’Leary was severely burned in an explosion and was given a one percent chance to live. He spent five months in the hospital, underwent dozens of surgeries, lost all of his fingers to amputation and had to relearn how to walk, write and feed himself.

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