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How 95-year-old Wally Richardson captures the hearts of middle school students
Wally, a World War ll and Korean War veteran found the magic formula 20-years-ago when each morning he walked his two little dogs by Marina Village Middle School.
As some students pet the dogs, Wally shared inspiring sayings with them.
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The kids now call them “Wallyisms.”
Wally, a retired United Airlines pilot, arrives at the school in El Dorado Hills, Calif. each school day morning at 7:15 a.m. with his little dog Dexter.
“Good morning! Great to see you!” he’ll call out with a big smile, as he greets the students, adding fist bumps as they approach him.
Wally Richardson gives a fist bump to middle schoolers
Photo: cbsnews.com
Then Wally shouts out one of about 300 Wallyisms. “To the world, you may be one person, but to one person … “
“You may be the world!” shout back some smiling students.”
Wally: “Judging others doesn’t define who they are " it defines who YOU are. Never look down on anyone else unless … “
“You’re helping them up!” reply the students.
This repartee continues until 7:50 a.m. when the 794-students begin their classes.
“Students flock to him daily to receive messages of kindness, compassion and empathy,” school principal Levi Cambridge told The Washington Post.
“Wally is unassuming and genuine,” the principal added, “with the goal of having a rippling effect on the students he meets. His positive nature is infectious.”
As for Wally: “They’re great kids and I’m proud of them.”
“When you’re my age and they look at you with bright and shining eyes and want to hear what you have to say, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Editor's Note:
To learn more, including more Wallyisms, click here.
Wally and his wife Jenny have a 60 year marriage, four children and five grandchildren.
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