LIBERTY — Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel’s mini-tour of the Mahoning Valley continued at Liberty High School on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Tressel stopped in Warren as the final lecturer at Trumbull Town Hall and then participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center’s $7 million, 13,000-square foot health and wellness facility in Canfield.

Thursday, he addressed Liberty students and faculty during an event that celebrated their completion of the Tressel Institute for Leadership and Teamwork (TILT) program.

Liberty Principal Tom Zetts introduced Tressel, who told the crowd that being in the area “felt like coming home.”

He immediately gave a brief background for those who were too young to know about his association with Youngstown State University, where he was football coach, athletic director and eventually president, as well as a national championship coach at Ohio State.

In his current position as lieutenant governor, he said, “I owe the state of Ohio everything. Anything that I can do to try to be helpful, I’d be happy to do. Now, I get a chance to travel all over the state and talk about the extraordinary opportunities we have in Ohio.”

Over the next 20 minutes, Tressel gave an inspirational speech that touched upon TILT’s principles — gratitude, selflessness, excellence, love and hope.

“It’s an amazing time in Ohio,” he declared, then mentioned that in the next five to six years 540,000 more people will be needed to work at approximately 63 companies that expanded from the West and East coasts or established a new presence in the Buckeye State.

“What’s probably the most important thing when you have any kinds of opportunities is you have to have the right people executing when you get those opportunities,” Tressel said. “I’m awfully proud of YSU Honors College, who has taken over our [Tressel] Institute for Leadership and Teamwork, helping our students create those basic skills to make sure that they can go out and then be the future leaders of our state and our nation. This is an example of what Dean Amy Cossentino and her staff and her students that are here today are doing throughout the Valley.”

Speaking directly to the high schoolers, he said, “They’re going to spend the day with you, and I would really encourage you to pay close attention to the values that they’re trying to share with you today to help you as you move forward in your lives.”

Tressel touched upon his days as a coach to illustrate his point that life isn’t always easy, but preparation and a good frame of mind can help make it through any hardships and push you toward successful goals. He noted that team meetings began with a quiet time of reflection and writing down one’s blessings.

“Days aren’t perfect. Weeks aren’t perfect, but if you live them with an attitude of gratitude there’s that opportunity we have to go and improve our lives,” Tressel said.

Following his address, YSU Sokolov Honors College volunteers led Liberty students through activities that involved acknowledging things they are grateful for as well as team-building exercises.

Through education and empowerment, TILT aims to provide students with the necessary tools and support so they can bring about positive changes within their communities and beyond.

“One of the things that — we’re kind of selfish is — we want all of you great people to become the best you can be, decide what your role is, decide where you’re going to impact,” he said. “We want to keep you right here because we need great people in the Valley. We need great people in the state of Ohio. We need people who want to have a journey of success. Today, we want to spend the day and see if we can share with you and add some things to help on your journey.”

TILT is partnered with YSU’s Sokolov Honors College. Volunteers mentor the Liberty students engaged in the program. Liberty is one of two high schools selected to participate in the prestigious initiative. South Range is the other.

Cossentino offered insight into the connection.

“What we’ve been doing is, in grades nine through 12, once a month, going in, doing hands-on activities with the kids and then processing what it’s like to work together in a team,” she said. “How do you support each other? How do you overcome obstacles? So, it’s really more about that journey to success.”

TILT Program Administrator Jenna Binsley-Smith added, “This peer-to-peer interaction allows high school students to connect with college mentors just a few years ahead of them in age and experience. These volunteers help lead activities and discussions, serving as relatable role models while reinforcing key leadership and teamwork principles in fun and engaging ways.

“Students explored core leadership concepts such as effective communication, teamwork under pressure, and the importance of empathy and social awareness. These sessions are designed not just to teach leadership, but to give students opportunities to practice and reflect on what it means to be a strong leader and reliable teammate.”

Summing up the experience, Zetts said, “This program gives our students not just a voice, but a vision. We are incredibly proud of their progress and grateful to Lt. Gov. Tressel for inspiring and encouraging our students as they continue their leadership journey.”