Blue Star Elementary students recently welcomed a very special guest to their all-school assembly on Friday, January 9. 2015 Hamilton High School graduate Grant Wolfram, now a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles returned home to share his story, journey, and an important life lesson about self-discipline.
Blue Star physical education teacher Eric Petroelje introduced Wolfram, who reminded them that before the bright lights of Major League Baseball, he was once a Hamilton student just like them. While his path led him to college baseball and years in the minor leagues, Wolfram emphasized that his success did not come easily.
“This year was pretty crazy for me,” Wolfram shared. “I finally got the opportunity to face guys I admired growing up — players like Juan Soto, Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge.” But he made it clear that talent alone wasn’t enough to reach that level.
Wolfram focused much of his talk on self-discipline, explaining it as controlling your actions, feelings, and choices to do what you know is right — even when it’s hard. He explained how self-discipline shows up daily in his life through weight training, preparation, and especially mental focus.
“Baseball at this level is more mental than physical,” he told students. “When you’re pitching in a place like Yankee Stadium with 50,000 people yelling at you, you have to be mentally locked in.”
Students eagerly asked questions — from his favorite and best pitches and stadiums to whether he lives in a mansion (not yet!) and how tall he is (6-foot-7, though he joked he knew where that question was going). Wolfram shared that his most memorable Major League win so far came at Wrigley Field, where family and friends were able to watch him earn the victory.
He also talked about the realities of professional baseball, including frequent travel — even noting that his young son had already been on more than a dozen flights before turning three months old.
The visit wrapped up with Blue Star Elementary Principal Dr. Kari Huckaby surprising the students with an announcement that Wolfram signed eleven baseballs that would be available in the Blue Star Store, where students can earn tickets through positive behavior and hard work — giving them the chance to take home a signed piece of Major League memorabilia. After the assembly, some students and staff members had autographs signed and took photos with the hometown star.
Hamilton Community Schools is incredibly proud of Grant Wolfram — not only for reaching the highest level of his sport, but for returning home to give back, inspire the next generation, and show students that big dreams can grow right here as a Hawkeye.
