Desi Payne is an experienced motivational speaker. The idea to bring her to Atlantic High School came after principal Heather McKay received information about Payne in the mail. McKay brought the information to the Culture and Climate Committee. They looked over it and decided to bring her in. Payne’s presentation was funded by Community 1st Credit Union.
"You are a diamond in the rough," Payne says. She reassured every student in AHS that "You are valuable." According to Payne's Website,
she has been giving speeches for about 25 years.