ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Master of ceremonies and percussion entertainer Elec Simon spoke to more than 1,500 local students Thursday about avoiding distractions and staying focused on their dreams.

The Belmont County Schools Staying Clean Club sponsored the event, inviting students and staff from Ohio Valley schools Thursday morning to the ECO Center on Ohio University Eastern’s campus west of St. Clairsville.

Simon is based in Orlando, Florida, and appears as an emcee for events, business conferences, festivals and trade shows, touring as an entertainer, drummer and motivational speaker with his band. Simon spent 10 years in the off-Broadway show “Stomp” in New York City and toured the world. He currently tours as a percussionist with jazz group Pieces of a Dream. He also performs at the Cleveland Cavaliers halftime shows and has a championship ring with his name because of his musical talent.

Simon uses drums and music to engage his audiences and spread his messages.

He is also an Ohio Valley native and came back because his family is from here. He credits his hometown for making him what he is today. He grew up going to the Jefferson County Fair and riding bikes through Martins Ferry. He said it doesn’t matter where you’re from, you can accomplish your dream like he did by being on Broadway.

“The keys to making it work is trusting the process and staying away from negative people, anybody who tries to pull you back because they’re afraid to go for their dreams,” he said. “You have to stay focused.”

He noted he had a vision and stuck with it, which is how he was able to make his dreams come true.

“As soon as you think you’re going to give up, and you do give up, you can guarantee it won’t happen,” Simon said. “And I never gave up. I kept going.”

Belmont County Juvenile and Probate Judge Al Davies described Simon as a talented motivational speaker and drummer who has a message to bring to the students. He invited all the middle and high schools in the Belmont County area to attend and hear the speech.

“Everybody gets to hear these very powerful messages, which are designed to help them out in this battle of life,” he said.

Davies hopes the students see Simon as someone who came from this area who rose up and never lost sight of his dream and stayed on his path, stayed away from negative influences that might’ve derailed that dream and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. He said the driving theme is to inspire students.

Simon attended St. Clairsville schools in the past, and students from the district were there to listen to his message. Middle school Principal Mike McKeever described Simon as very engaging and interactive, getting the students involved in what he does when delivering his message. He thinks it was a great opportunity to come together again with other schools to listen to Simon talk about self awareness and facing challenges.

“The more positive influences we can put in kid’s lives, the more positive messages that we can expose our kids to, the better,” he said. “In a crazy age that we live in now, the more positive experiences that we can provide for the kids, the better.”

The students love Simon’s performances because he is engaging and interactive with music and drums and gets the students charged up, McKeever said.

Bridgeport High School counselor Vicki Falcone recommended that Bridgeport students attend the event because several years ago, Simon spoke at Bridgeport, and she thinks he is an exceptional motivational speaker. She said his message is something the students will benefit from hearing.

“I’m hoping they realize that no matter what their situation is in life right now, the world is open to them,” she said. “That they can have whatever they want. To dream and to make wise choices in their life because what they do now will affect them in their life to come.”

Falcone emphasized that without the generosity of the people in Belmont County who support the annual Staying Clean Club Car Truck and Bike Show and the club, this event wouldn’t have been possible. She wants people to know their funds are going toward a good cause.

Simon ended his speech by giving students five lessons to help them move through life: staying away from people who are close with people who dislike you and don’t want you to win in life; move in silence; set a financial goal right now; trust the process of what you’re going through; and stay away from distractions.

“I just want to tell people the number one thing in life now, social media got us so wrapped up wanting us to be somebody different, stay who you are. Everybody has a gift. God gives you a gift. You’re born with a gift, use your gift,” Simon said. “Don’t worry about the next person, and the number one thing that I say nowadays is stay away from distractions.”