T-L Photo/DYLAN McKENZIE Ed Rensi speaks to students at Harrison Central High School on Thursday afternoon. Rensi, born in Hopedale, has had a successful career at McDonald’s, serving as president and CEO of the company.

CADIZ — Students of Harrison Central High School had the chance to hear from a former CEO and president of one of the world’s largest fast food franchises Thursday, as Ed Rensi spoke to them about the value of education and critical thinking.

Rensi is no stranger to Harrison County; he was born in Hopedale and spent the first 17 years of his life in the area. Rensi began his long relationship with McDonald’s USA in 1966, joining as a grill cook and soon becoming manager of his restaurant. As the years went on, Rensi rose through the ranks, eventually holding the position of president in 1984 and serving as CEO from 1991-97. Rensi now works as an executive food service and restaurant consultant, giving the benefit of his decades in the food service industry to those seeking his advice. Rensi also is a popular public speaker, sharing life tips with various audiences.

Rensi was asked to appear at Harrison Hills by the Harrison County Farm Bureau, as members felt that the students would be able to relate to Rensi, a native of the area who had found great success in his professional life. Rensi, who has not been back to his home county for a long time, readily agreed, appearing to speak before the high school students on Thursday.

Rensi spoke to the students about the value of critical thinking, telling them that if they see a claim they have reason to doubt, double check it. He told them that in the age of information we live in, it is easy to be bombarded with so much knowledge that most people will just accept information at face value. He cautioned the students against doing that, encouraging them to research anything they doubt and challenge false information.

“Don’t believe everything you hear and see,” Rensi said.

Rensi also spoke to the students about not “living their lives by accident” — he pointed out that when he started out at McDonald’s, he never imagined he would rise to the position of CEO, also believing that he was too immature to attend Ohio State University as he did. He told students that they had to lay out a critical plan for their lives; by evaluating their strengths, likes, moral values and behavior, young people can better plan their paths in life, instead of stumbling from job to job until they find a good fit.

“Most people live their lives on accident, not on purpose,” he said. “I don’t want them making my mistakes.”

After the assembly, Rensi took some time to answer questions from the crowd of interested students. He showed a sense of humor for a few of the questions, assuring students that the burgers and nuggets served at McDonald’s were made of real meat, and informing them that yes, he occasionally eats at Wendy’s.

“He has a lot of experience to learn from,” said senior Bailey Eberhart, 17. “I think that by students seeing that he made it from Hopedale to CEO will change the mindset of a lot of people in general.”

Later that evening, Rensi made a second speaking appearance, speaking to Harrison Future Farmers of America students past and present, as well as their families. The event was held at the county fairgrounds, where Rensi touched on many of the same issues and answered questions about the agriculture business over a chicken dinner. Don Jones, the high school agriculture education teacher and FFA adviser, said he was very pleased with how the school assembly went and that he thinks Rensi got his message across well.

“I was really excited,” he said. “I think a lot of our kids don’t have the confidence to realize what they can accomplish, and he helped them with that.”