On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, a group of Catholic Central students attended the Get To Foundation’s “We Get To Inspire” Speaker Series at the Wayne State Fieldhouse.

Representing CC were leaders from across school life, including DECA President, Jack Dorgan ‘26, Build a Better Business Club President, Donovan Sarafa ‘26, and student-athletes from hockey, lacrosse, and basketball. They were joined by Athletic Director, Aaron Babicz ’93, and Director of Community Outreach and Student Engagement, Christopher Okoye ’14.

The event centered on the Get To mindset, the practice of replacing “have to” with “get to.” Students were encouraged to view responsibilities not as burdens but as opportunities, shifting their perspective from stress to gratitude, a key theme in one of the books Mr. Okoye has authored, Extreme Gratitude Leads To Happiness. 

The highlight of the day was an inspirational keynote from Chris Singleton, a former professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and now a globally recognized speaker. Singleton, whose mother was murdered in a racially motivated church shooting, has dedicated his life to promoting unity, empathy, and perseverance. His powerful message is that we don’t have to do anything, but we get to do everything.

Beyond the keynote, the event also offered valuable networking opportunities, connecting CC students with peers and leaders from the GLIAC, CYO, and CHSL communities. They also connected with fellow Shamrock Brady Blakita ‘23, now a baseball player at Wayne State.

The gathering honored the legacy of Ben Jones, whose vision continues to drive the work of the Get To Foundation, and gave our Shamrocks an opportunity to grow in leadership, perspective, and gratitude.