Christopher Boucher, who plays centre for the National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors recently visited Monchy, the community that his mother is from. During the brief visit, the sportsman was invited to address students of Monchy Primary School.

“You are special kids and I want you to make it far in life,” he said. “Keep dreaming. Believe in your dreams, surround yourselves with positive friends, be respectful to your families because that's the right way to live. You are all young and can make it so far in life. I'll do as much as I can to help you, but I also want you to see how special you are.”

Principal of the Monchy Primary School, Tony Nestor, said Boucher’s story can motivate students.

“His story of trials, becoming a school dropout, deciding on basketball, then finishing school because he realized that in order to be successful he had to go back to school—that in itself is a huge inspirational story.

The ceremony was held at the Monchy Catholic Church.