When Cunningham Children’s Home Teacher Roy Riley, accepted an invitation to compete in the Ironman Triathlon World Championship on October 8, he knew his students would be behind him 100 percent— because they are the reason he was asked to participate.

Roy was invited after he submitted an essay explaining how the Ironman motto “Anything is Possible” reflects his life. Using his experiences as a Physical Education Teacher at Gerber School on the Cunningham campus, Roy reflected on the challenges his students have experienced in their young lives— abuse, neglect, and separation from their families— which they struggle with every day. “They have taught me that anything is possible if you work hard.”

Roy had not participated in a World Championship of the Ironman Triathlon before and was very excited about the opportunity. The Ironman Triathlon was held on October 8 in Kona, Hawaii. It consists of three parts: a 2.4-mile swim in the ocean, a 112-mile bike ride, followed by a full marathon of a 26.2 mile run.

Roy’s students at Cunningham each signed a visor that he wore during the event. “My students know that they were with me in spirit at the event,” Riley explained. “Before I left for Hawaii, I used the race to have some great conversations with my students and we talked about how it is very similar to life – it isn’t always about winning the race, it’s about working hard, doing the best you can, and being proud of finishing.”

NBC Sports was also impressed with Roy’s journey to the Ironman Triathlon and his story, and will feature a segment about Roy’s life during the national broadcast of the event, on December 10, at 3:30PM Central Time. A camera crew from NBC was in Urbana on the Cunningham campus recently to film Roy.

Roy values the support he received from is parents growing up and feels that having that strong base has helped him be a better teacher. “My students have not had many role models in their life and they have rarely had an opportunity to play sports with a parent,” Riley said.

Here is the essay that Roy submitted to the Ironman Triathlon World Championship:

"I reflect the core meaning of Ironman's motto "Anything is Possible" because I strive to teach my students that "Anything is Possible". I am a Physical Education teacher in Illinois at a school for children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. My students have had the worst experiences in their lives already by the time they reach junior high school. They need a role model more than anyone. 70% of my students do not have a home to go back to. They live on campus at our school full time. I teach them lessons on the values of Ironman and endurance events. My goal is to prove to them that you can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it and work hard.  I hope to be a role model to them so that maybe they too will strive their best to accomplish their goals in life.

My students have had a very troubled past with an even worse home life. I can admit I have not. I have had the most supportive parents that anyone can ask for. My parents have been to every important event in my life. They believe in me and I believe in my students! I believe my students can make it out into the world to be successful members of society! "Anything is Possible" is the quote in my gym that my students know is directly correlated to them (and my Ironman goal) If I can do it, anyone can do it including them!"      

Congratulations, Roy!

Cunningham is proud to report that Roy successfully completed the Ironman Triathlon, finishing in 11 hours, 47 minutes, and 46 seconds! Roy achieved several goals he had set for himself before traveling to Hawaii: 1) finishing the race; 2) finishing safely; 3) and finishing in 12 hours. He achieved all of his goals and is actually ranked 85th overall in his division. 

When Roy returned to Gerber School after the race, he was met with some very excited and happy students at Cunningham! “Being part of the Ironman Triathlon is the biggest thing that has ever happened to me and I’m even more excited about being able to share the experience with my students.”

Roy recently reopened the Bike Shop on the Cunningham campus to help our youth learn bicycle maintenance and repair as part of the Vocational Education program. Roy teaches the kids how to repair bikes for their personal use or as a potential job. As Roy can attest, whether your bicycle journey takes you on a 112-mile ride across Kona, Hawaii, or just around the neighborhood, it helps to know how to repair a bicycle!

Because of our loyal friends and supporters, Cunningham is able to provide exceptional staff (like Roy) who inspire our youth. Despite their challenges, Cunningham youth are learning that “Anything is Possible,” if you work hard and do the very best you can!
 

Mr. Riley poses next to a banner made by his Gerber School students.

*Registered motto for the Ironman Triathlon