ALGONQUIN – A former Marine, Gulf War veteran and once a life coach on MTV’s show “MADE” shared some of the pain he’s experienced in life and spoke of choices Monday to set the tone for students starting a new school year at H.D. Jacobs High School.

Jeff Yalden told stories of his life, raising his daughters, spending time with his wife’s grandfather, and losing a friend to suicide.

To improve the culture at Jacobs, staff members are encouraging students to be respectful, be responsible and be ready. Yalden’s speech was part of those efforts.