'Achieve your dreams': Wayne Dawson's inspiring message to students at his alma mater

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) -- Wayne Dawson walked into the Shaw High School gymnasium slowly and was immediately met with loud cheers and rousing applause. Clearly, he was taking in every moment. Soaking in the love and support he so fiercely appreciates as his battle with oral cancer continues.

A video shared by the longtime Fox 8 morning anchor chronicled a recent visit to his alma mater where he gave a short speech meant to ignite a fire in the bellies of the next generation.

His message?

If I can do it, so can you.

Dawson, who grew up in East Cleveland and attended Kirk Middle School and Shaw High School, recounted his time as a teenager when he often cut class and hung around with the wrong group of people.

But, he credited people in his life "who spoke positivity to me" and helped him turn things around.

While he graduated "at the back end" of his high school class in 1973, he went on to graduate from Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University.

"And the rest is history."

Dawson, a multiple award winning anchor and member of the Broadcasters Hall of Fame, has been a staple at Fox 8 News for more than 40 years, bringing Northeast Ohio families the news every weekday morning.

"If a boy from East Cleveland can achieve his dreams, there is absolutely no reason why you cannot achieve your dreams," he told the crowd.

He went on to tell the student body that there is greatness in each and every one of them, and what they're doing right now in their lives is laying the groundwork for future success.

"Whatever it is you want to do, visualize it, work hard and you can achieve your dreams."

He finished his speech by encouraging the students to stay focused and stay far away from negative individuals and situations.

The video also features Wayne meeting with students and staff, holding up a Shaw High School t-shirt and a student-made poster with words of kindness and encouragement.

Dawson, who announced his oral cancer diagnosis in the spring of 2024, has been off the air since December to focus on his fight with the disease, but he plans to return to the anchor desk in 2025.