HYPE speakers for 2021-22 announced

Speakers for the HYPE Career Ready® Program will expose students to inspiring stories of leadership, dedication, and success. Each HYPE Day will feature one keynote speaker to kick-off the day.

Anthony Robles

September 16, 2021

Inspiring 2011 NCAA Wrestling Champion, 2012 National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, and subject of the upcoming film, Unstoppable

Born with one leg, Anthony Robles grew up to become an unstoppable phenomenon in NCAA wrestling, competing against able-bodied challengers and ultimately winning the NCAA Champion title in 2011.  Today Anthony shares his inspirational success strategy—a limitless belief in self and the motivation to do things no one ever thought possible.

Alison Levine

October 6, 2021

First American Women's Everest Expedition Team Captain, faculty member at the Thayer Leader Development Group at West Point, New York Times bestselling author of On the Edge

Alison Levine has made a career out of breaking boundaries and inspiring others to achieve more than they ever thought possible. A history-making polar explorer and mountaineer, she served as team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, climbed the highest peak on each continent and skied to both the North and South Poles—a feat known as the Adventure Grand Slam— which only twenty people in the world have achieved. In January 2008, she made history as the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse across west Antarctica to the South Pole following the route of legendary explorer Reinhold Messner. Levine completed this arduous journey on skis while hauling 150 pounds of her gear and supplies in a sled harnessed to her waist. She made history again in 2016 when she completed two first ascents: Hall Peak in Antarctica and Khang Karpo in Nepal.

Jim Obergefell

November 2, 2021

Plaintiff In The Landmark Supreme Court Marriage Equality Case

Jim Obergefell draws from his unique experience at the heart of the Supreme Court marriage equality ruling to move and empower audiences to stand by their beliefs—and prove that love always wins. A self-described accidental activist, Jim found himself in the role of caregiver for his partner of more than 20 years, John, as he neared the end of his life due to ALS. An unexpected series of events led to their decision to marry, eventually taking Jim to the Supreme Court and the landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that resulted in victory for marriage equality. 

Gordon Bellamy

January 26, 2022

USC professor and game designer for Madden NFL Football

Gordon is a Visiting Scholar at the USC Games and head of the USC Bridge incubator program, helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders in our craft. He has played key business and product leadership roles at Tencent, Electronic Arts, as a designer on Madden NFL Football, and MTV, and consulted for numerous companies in the industry.

TBA

February 22, 2022

Financial Literacy Expert

Heidelberg University is currently waiting for confirmation to bring you a nationally-known and published literacy expert to discuss financial planning and achieving financial success.

Sarah Thomas

March 24, 2021

The NFL’s First Female Official; One of the Sports Illustrated 100 Most Influential NFL Figures of All Time

On April 8, 2015, Sarah Thomas was one of nine new game officials added to the NFL officiating roster for the 2015 season, becoming the first full-time female official in NFL history. Her history-making game happened on September 13, 2015 between Kansas City and Houston. Her hat, whistle and flag from that game are now on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Thomas hit a new milestone in her already successful officiating career when she was named to officiate in Super Bowl 55 in 2021. Thomas is the first woman to ever officiate in a Super Bowl, paving the way for many more females not only in the officiating world but coaching as well.