Morris County Native Shows Students How To Be 'Warrior Strong'

HOPATCONG, NJ - Students in the Hopatcong School District got an inspirational chat from Tom Tice of Warrior Strong on Dec. 6.

Growing up, Tice said he always knew he wanted a career that allowed him to help people, and his unique journey led him to start a non-profit organization called Warrior Strong. Warrior Strong provides free fitness classes for veterans, active-duty members and their dependents.

Tice spoke to seventh graders at the Middle School then eighth graders at the High School about overcoming struggles and pursuing passions, according to officials. Tice, a Roxbury native, talked to the grades, respectively, about how the choices they make now will influence their future.

Tice’s story, about overcoming the labels placed on him and pursuing his passion despite having no knowledge on how to do so, captured the attention of the seventh and eighth graders as many were able to connect his life with theirs, officials said.

The eighth grade class shared that many of them have family members who are active-duty members and/or veterans and asked how they can get involved with Warrior Strong. Warrior Strong has yoga, group workouts, spin classes and more for active-duty members, veterans and their dependents throughout Morris County.

Information about these classes can be found on their website www.warriorstronginc.org and on their Facebook WarriorStrong.

Following Tice’s speech, three students from the eighth grade stuck around to talk to him. The students, Sofija Kelesovska, Gabriella Green and Kyanna Trujillo took particular interest in both Tom’s story and Warrior Strong’s mission, officials said.

Green’s brother, Hopatcong alumni Dom Green, is in the Army and currently deployed in Afghanistan. Dom Green recently received a medal for bravery. Green said she was interested in a way that her family can connect with other families who have a member deployed in the area; Warrior Strong is a great opportunity for them.

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