Inspirational Speaker Denver

GJHS alum returns as inspirational speaker

Jamie Utt, a national diversity consultant, returned to his alma mater Monday morning to help freshman adjust to the social pressures of high school.

Utt graduated from Grand Junction High School in 2003.

“It’s really cool to be back here because it wasn’t that long ago that I was sitting in freshman orientation right here,” Utt said as he started a discussion about stereotypes and prejudice with the students.

Utt presented his signature workshop, “The Wall,” to the more than 400 incoming freshman at the assembly.

As part of the interactive presentation, Utt asked to students to write honestly their thoughts about a variety of stereotypical groups.

“Even if you have to cuss to describe it, let’s just put it all out there so we can start talking honestly about it,” he told the students.

He also shared some of his experiences at GJHS in an effort to get students to work together towards positive change, acceptance and inclusion at their high school.

An internal shift in thinking about common stereotypes, bigotry and hate is the first step toward changing larger societal problems, he said.

Since he was a sophomore at the school, Utt told the students he knew he wanted to change people with his words. After graduation, he earned a degree in peace and global studies from Earlham College where he focused his studies on conflict resolution in the Middle East. 

Utt was a social studies teacher in Chicago before launching his own career as an inspirational speaker for middle- and high-school students and corporations.

Utt discusses often hard-to-approach and sensitive topics such sexual orientation, bullying, race, religion and gender.

“I really just made this job,” Utt said, adding that he felt it was important for everyone to have a equal voice in society.

Utt’s company is based in Denver. For more information, visit http://www.jamieutt.com .

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