Students at Farrell Junior-Senior High School got a "reality check" on Monday morning.

DaNine J. Fleming, director for the Office of Intercultural rograms at Slippery Rock University, spoke candidly to two groups of students -- 7th and 8th graders and high schoolers -- about topics that ranged from taking advantage of a free education to treating others with respect.

High schooler Racine Smith opened both assemblies by covering the song "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera. Classmate Keturah Harrison accompanied Smith with a simultaneous interpretative mime of the lyrics.

"I think it's important they see things they can relate to on their level with the music and the genre," Mrs. Fleming said. "I want them to know they can do things that they set their minds to."

By making references to performers such as Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. who heavily influence teenagers, Mrs. Fleming spoke with a youthful frame of reference that didn't go unnoticed by her audience.

"She was telling it like it is," a group of 7th and 8th grade girls said in unison when asked about their impressions of Mrs. Fleming. "She spoke her mind and kept it real."

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