After all the excitement of today’s Pep Assembly – StuCo’s anti-theft video, the parade of athletes, the predictable spirit competition, some hilariously-entertaining karaoke, Snowcoming Court, and a Spirit Week slide show – FHN’s studentbody was lucky enough to be in the presence of

the only four-time Heavyweight Champion of the World, Evander Holyfield.

Holyfield was in town to promote his new entrance song, “Bomaye,’” a track from St. Louis native, Km. This song, which Holyfield walked out to at his last fight in Switzerland, features two other artists, Tenise A. and Jahyut, and is now available on iTunes.

Holyfield, who’s last bout was in December for the WBA Heavyweight title, was at North to speak in front of the student body and staff to discuss his childhood and how he had to cope with a poor neighborhood and homelife in his time as a young boxer.

“The message is really about not giving up,” Holyfield said. “Everybody has setbacks, but setbacks pave a way for comebacks.”

Starting off his speech, Holyfield spoke of his debut in boxing when he was only eight years old. Throughout his speech, Holyfield reiterated his three greatest steps to being successful and accomplishing all goals and endeavors: listen, follow directions, and never quit.

“[Life] is all about how you take lessons, both good and bad,” he said. “Everything you learn in life makes you who you are.”

Overall, his message was simple: if you’ve got a dream, never give up on it.

“America has the real dream: If you work hard, you can be something,” Holyfield says. “I see the success [in students’] lives.”

After Holyfield wrapped up his speech, he announced that each student, faculty and staff member was going to receive one of 2,200 t-shirts that were made after Holyfield won his fourth Heavyweight title. As well, each student was also given a code so that they can digitally download the song for free onto their cell phones.

At the end of the assembly, Holyfield was given an FHN polo shirt and was inducted as an honorary Howell North alumnus. In return, Holyfield presented Activities Director Mike Janes with a pair of autographed boxing gloves and gave Principal Darlene Jones a signed poster of himself.

After the assembly was finally finished, Holyfield held an exclusive press conference with five members of FHN’s publication staffs. See the entire interview here.