MARTINS FERRY — The Belmont County Schools Staying Clean program is hosting assemblies throughout the county’s schools featuring Kyle Quilausing, a motivational speaker with the message that “You are one choice away from a different life.”

Quilausing, who resides in Hilo, Hawaii, is in the midst of a motivational speaking tour, traveling across the country telling of his personal experiences in overcoming drug addiction and how poor choices can lead you down the wrong path. The Staying Clean club invited him to speak at each of the public school districts in the county this week.

On Tuesday morning, Quilausing appeared at Martins Ferry High School, where he spoke to hundreds of students about his life and choices that took him from being a good student and star athlete with strong family values to becoming a drug addict serving a 10-year prison sentence. During his speech he talked about falling in love with playing golf, dedicating all his free time to the sport and even playing alongside Tiger Woods when he was just 10 years old. Shortly after receiving a scholarship to college for the sport, he was expelled from high school in his senior year, leading to a downward spiral that eventually led him into drug addiction and being labeled as one of Hawaii’s most wanted criminals.

Quilausing, who is now more than 15 years sober, said he found God while serving his prison sentence and is now committed to being a better person and helping to educate youth. He said he was an arrogant kid and now preaches the importance of being humble, a quality that he found along the way.

Following Quilausing’s speech, he happily went around the room taking selfies with students and answered any questions they may have had.

Numerous students call Quilausing’s story “inspirational.” That is the word senior Landyn Hores used to describe it.

“He is very inspirational. I’ve seen him twice and it was good both times. I thought it was awesome that (Police Chief) John McFarland brought him up here to talk to us,” he added.

Rylie Doyle, a senior, said Quilausing had an inspirational message.

“Myself, being an athlete, it kind of hit hard when he said that one choice could definitely alter the course of your whole life. Overall it was really enjoyable to watch,” she said.

Raena Simpson, a senior, said she learned a lot about how your actions can change your life and thinking about the future.

“Sometimes you have to think about when you get out of high school, you’re responsible for your own decisions and it shows you to make good decisions,” she said.

John McFarland, a senior and the chief’s son, said the speaker’s story has a great message and helps to inspire youth.

“It’s just a great message for the younger kids. We’re in that area now that you don’t know what you’re going to pick up off the street, and I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to see what it’s like on the other side of things,” he said.

Nolan Zambori, a freshman, said he is also a golfer like Quilausing. He said he learned to make good decisions and that every action has a consequence.

Principal Joe Mamone said this is the second time students have heard from Quilausing, with the first being earlier this year when he spoke at the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling. He said having Quilausing speak at the school was a “tremendous opportunity” for the students.

“It’s something they can relate to, especially when they hear his backstory and how successful he was at an early age and then he started taking the wrong path but was able to redeem himself. Now he puts everything into helping kids around the country. Kyle is a captivating speaker. These kids will be dialed in. He does a tremendous job interacting with them, holding their attention and really drives a strong, strong message home,” he said, adding that he is proud that out of all the schools in the county, last year Martins Ferry had the most students present at his original speech.

“We’re just so happy to have him back.”

Quilausing, who has been a motivational speaker for seven years, said he began his most recent tour in Colorado then made his way to Texas, Utah and now Ohio. After he finishes up the county tour today, he will travel to Idaho and Georgia before returning to his home in Hawaii. He said he wants to spread his message to the youth about drug awareness.

“I want to remind them that they are one choice away from a different life. … I was a golf prodigy. I made a bad choice doing crystal meth, became an addict, went to prison, found God and now I’m free,” he said.

On Monday, Qualausing spoke at Barnesville High School, Union Local and the Career Center. On Tuesday, he spoke at Martins Ferry, Bellaire and Shadyside high schools. He is set to speak at St. Clairsville and Bridgeport high schools today.