Anthony Robles brought a message of hope and inspiration to local students this week. Robles, an athlete, sports commentator and motivational speaker, visited W.F. West High School Thursday through the generosity of the Drew North Foundation.

Robles was born with one leg but was raised to believe it was not a disability. Through perseverance and hard work, he went on to become a champion wrestler. He has earned accolades including: 3-time NCAA Division I National Champion; ESPY Award recipient; multiple Guinness World Record Holder; Nike Athlete; and inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Arizona Sports Hall of Fame and ASU Sun Devils Athletic Hall of Fame.

Students from Mossyrock, Adna, Napavine, Onalaska, Pe Ell and Castle Rock school districts were also invited to attend Robles' presentation at W.F. West Sept. 25. Robles also spoke at Centralia High School later in the day.

The Drew North Foundation was founded in memory of Drew Douglass. The foundation's mission is to raise awareness about mental health and suicide and give teens knowledge and resources to overcome adversities and save lives.

For Jennie and Steve Douglass, founders of the Drew North Foundation, the motivation to bring Robles to Lewis County was to bring a positive message to young people.

"We watched his movie and it's just so inspiring," Jennie Douglass said. "All of the obstacles he overcame. How he erased stigmas. His story is just so inspirational."

This event was also supported by members of the W.F. West Good Place Club, ASB and student Leadership and the W.F. West Wrestling program.