Olympic speed skater Amy Peck stopped by Schuylerville Elementary School to share her incredible journey, her Olympic medals, and an inspiring message about goal setting, perseverance, and becoming better every day.
Peck, a three-time Olympic medalist, captivated students as she displayed the medals she earned while competing on the world’s biggest stage. She explained that every Olympic host country designs its own medals, making each one unique. Holding up her silver medal from the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, Peck pointed out the French crystal embedded in the center. She then showed her bronze medals from the 1994 Games in Norway, describing how their centers were made from stone blasted from a mountain used to build the ski jump.
Beyond the hardware, Peck focused on what truly fueled her success: goals. She shared how goal setting guided her entire career, and still shapes her life today.
“It’s like my Bible of life,” Peck said. “Set a goal, set the steps to reach the goal, attain the goal, move on to the next goal. Day in and day out, that’s really how I live my life.”
She emphasized that goals don’t have to be huge or intimidating, especially for young students.
“You can set goals every day, whether they’re big or small,” said Peck. “It can be reading, it can be a musical instrument. You set a goal and then figure out how you’re actually going to get there.”
Peck also spoke about the importance of role models, crediting fellow Olympic speed skater Bonnie Blair as a major inspiration in her life. Peck said her motto in life is to constantly improve, not just as an athlete, but as a person.
“Even today I wake up and think, ‘How can I be better today?’” she said. “Back when I was racing, it was everything; did I sleep enough? Did I eat well? What can I change?”
“For Schuylerville’s second graders, this visit was both exciting and empowering,” said Elementary Principal Stacy Marzullo. “Seeing an Olympian up close, and hearing that success is built on daily effort, curiosity, and small steps, made a lasting impression.”