During a week marked by a shooting at Evergreen High School and headlines of violence across the nation, students at Westminster High School received a powerful reminder about kindness, tolerance, and believing in oneself when the ASA No Hate BMX Tour rolled into town on Wednesday, September 10.

The high-energy event brought world-class BMX athletes to the school gym, but beyond the flips and tricks, the heart of the program was about resilience, respect and the need to stop bullying in all forms. At one point, the emcee invited rider Oscar Marquez onto the platform to share his journey. Growing up in Durango, Mexico, Oscar was just 11 years old when he saw the X Games on television and decided he would one day become a professional BMX rider.

At his local skatepark, older kids laughed at his dream, but Oscar pressed on. By 15, he had moved to Denver, where again his bold declaration that he would turn pro was met with discouragement. Still, he never gave up. Today, Oscar stood in front of Westminster students as living proof that persistence pays off.

The riders wowed the crowd with aerial stunts, tail whips, and gravity-defying jumps, but the grand finale brought the gym to its feet. Bobby Lindsay, The Westy media coordinator, was invited onstage to loud applause. Sitting on the platform, Lindsay and the crowd held their breath and watched as a BMXer launched into the air and soared cleanly over him—a breathtaking stunt that capped the day.

The No Hate High School Tour is now in its 25th year and is completely free to schools.