Devon Harris followed his dreams from the Jamaican ghetto to the Winter Olympic Games.

On Friday (Nov. 2), Devon will bring the story of his success to students at Morey Middle School (840 E. 14th Ave.). He's also bringing a bobsled to give students a hands-on feeling for the weight and size of the vehicle that his team rode to fame. Devon will speak at three assemblies at Morey - beginning at, 8:50 a.m. and 10:40 a.m.

Devon is a three-time Winter Olympian and member of the original 1988 Jamaican Bobsled Team whose story was dramatized by the popular Disney move, "Cool Runnings". Devon's trip to Denver is sponsored by the city of Evanston, Wyoming - the North American Headquarters of the Jamaican Bobsled Team and training center for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Devon's message will encourage students to realize the importance of school in order to pursue their dreams.

"When you combine a dream with an opportunity - you have a force that can propel you to overcome any obstacle," says Devon.

Born in 1964 in Kingston, Devon enlisted in the Jamaica Defense Force, Officer Corps. He graduated from the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England.

Devon was a member of Jamaica's first Olympic Bobsled Team and competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics (Calgary, Canada), the 1992 Winter Olympics (Albertville, France) and the 1998 Winter Olympics (Nagano, Japan).

Devon was born in poverty and raised in a violent ghetto environment. While most of his peers dropped out of school at an early age, despite ridicule and hardship, Devon remained in school, excelled in track & field events, and graduated with honors.

At the suggestion of his commanding officer, Devon tried out for and was selected to join Jamaica's first Olympic Bobsled Team.

When not working with the competitive members of the team for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Devon tours the country as a motivational speaker - often visiting schools and youth groups offering a message of inspiration and hope. His personal philosophy, like that of the Jamaican Bobsled Team, is that he will not permit others to define the limits of his success.