Yes I Can - This Saturday

Adults, students, public encouraged to attend highly publicized event at Lost Canyon.

There are three simple words on the lips of almost everyone in Williams this week and those words are, "Yes I Can." Organizers hope the upbeat phrase will ring true for those who attend this Saturday's big event at Lost Canyon.

Called the "Yes I Can Event at Lost Canyon - defeating Your Giants," the large gala is geared toward students from middle school to college age. Adults are also encouraged to attend. The event, according to organizers, is designed to help individuals learn their own potential and offer music and inspiring messages that Yes I Can organizers hope will empower those in the area to follow their dreams without turning to drugs, alcohol or other forms of destructive behavior.

Guests for the Yes I Can event will include former NFL star Shawn Harper, along with "Facing the Giants" actors Jason McLeod, Bailey Cave and Tommy McBride. The Honorable Judge Tommy Webb will also speak. Musical guests for the event will be Brent Sutton and the Yes I Can Band. Actress and speaker Tine Marie will emcee the event.

Free tickets for the affair are currently available at the Williams Recreation Center, courtesy of the city of Williams and L.P.'s Excavating. A school bus is planned to run from the rec center to the east side of town near the Mormon Church and possibly other stops as well, in order to help move individuals who may be interested in attending.

Tickets can also be purchased at a cost of $25 each. Scholarships are also available. Ticket, donation and other information can be found online at www.yesicaninc.org. According to organizer Bill Sutton, the event will kick off around 2 p.m., though the festivities will begin at noon for lunch.

"We want everyone to arrive by noon for lunch. We're gearing it toward the 2 p.m. showing. Adults are welcome and should go," Sutton said, adding that there will be door prizes as well, which will include an i-Pod, autographed "Facing the Giants" DVDs and shirts, two first-class tickets aboard the Grand Canyon Railway, restaurant gift certificates and a free round of golf.

Motivational speaker Shawn Harper, former professional NFL player for the Rams and the Colts, said he is excited about his trip to Williams. He is expected to arrive Thursday and will spend some time taking in the sights. Harper currently lives in Ohio.

"I am so excited. I've heard so much about the place (and) just to have the opportunity to share some of the issues of things that I have had in my life and having the opportunity to invest in another community is awesome," Harper said.

Harper decided to become a motivational, inspirational speaker after his retirement from the NFL.

"After achieving a measure of success, I had to make a decision. Do I continue to pursue opportunities or do I make peace with myself?" Harper said. "I officially retired form the NFL in 2000, so I have been practically speaking since then. I have literally been all over the world. In every state and at least 10 separate countries. My message is typically received well."