BIO

Steve Hays is an author, speaker, and popular podcaster with three and a half decades of experience speaking to and mentoring young people all across the United States. Steve has a bachelor’s degree from North Central University in Minnesota. He is the founder of Happy Life Studios, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young people embrace the true meaning of being happy. Steve says that “happy” is not necessarily a feeling but a condition that you experience when you embrace your true value, and then make positive life choices that match that value throughout your life. Steve is one of the most sought-after speakers on the subjects of self-worth and mental health. His humorous approach to these subjects puts his audience at ease as he attempts to take young people on a journey to discover their true value. The students will be laughing one minute and wiping tears the next. Steve says his goal is to have every student he talks to leave the assembly with a smile on their face and a positive outlook on their future.

Steve and his wife Christine have made their home in Seattle, Washington where they have raised three wonderful boys.

Steve’s Messages

Middle and High School Assembly

Steve helps his audience understand that each person has a choice of which value system they are going to live from. With the powerful illustration of dividing the stage into two sections with step ladders, he explains that your intrinsic value is yours and belongs to you alone. By standing on the top rung of the ladder, he explains that you can’t lose your value and it can’t be stolen or damaged—you can only surrender it by taking a step down yourself. The more you step down and away from your intrinsic value, the easier it is to make choices that are not healthy. Conversely, to gain value in the social world, you must continue to climb the social ladder by stepping on others and compromising your character. Steve shares that going up that ladder to success is more like a never-ending escalator because the rules for success in that value system are always changing. It is a powerful illustration that the students can easily relate to.

Fourth and Fifth Grade Assembly

Negative words can hurt and often do more damage than we can see with our eyes. That is the message that Steve brings to 4^thand 5^thgraders in this powerful assembly.  He uses music and crowd participation that will keep the students spell bound as he unpacks the idea that everyone has value, and we must see others in the light of that value. This powerful presentation helps your students to accept the differences of others and teaches them to appreciate those differences instead of just tolerating them. As the students themselves share how words have hurt them, Steve will give your students the opportunity to apologize for words that have been said that may have been hurtful.

“What happened in the gym that day with our students erased years of hostility and strife in our school. Students that had not spoken to each other in a long time were hugging and apologizing to each other. It was truly amazing and set the tone for a more positive climate for the rest of the year!”

Carla Vrondran, Principal, East Jordan Elementary School

 Kindergarten Through Third Grade Assembly

Steve will command the room right away with a powerful presentation using music and crowd participation. This 25-minute, high energy assembly focuses on the word Respect. Your students will be singing the lyrics of the rap that Steve created throughout the remainder of the day, driving home the message that respecting others is a “cool” thing to do. He breaks down practical ways these young students can show respect to others around them while teaching them the words to this fun song. Steve will also give your school a worksheet with the same theme that you can use in your classroom after the assembly to magnify the message even more. You will love how positive and energetic your students will be after this presentation.