Fifth-graders at a local elementary school were treated to a visit from a hometown celebrity Monday morning when NFL linebacker Jonathan Bostic stopped by. (Scroll down for photo gallery)

Bostic spent about two hours at New Horizons Elementary School in Wellington, where he encouraged and motivated the fifth-grade students and told them that with hard work and dedication, they can achieve their dreams, a Wellington spokeswoman said.

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He also signed and handed out footballs; took photos with students, teachers and staff; and did a question-and-answer session with the children, she said.

Bostic is a former Wellington resident who graduated from Palm Beach Central High School, where he played for the Broncos football team. He then played for the University of Florida Gators before being drafted by the Chicago Bears. He now plays for the Washington Commanders.

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Since graduating from Palm Beach Central, Bostic has been part of events to give back to his community. One of his latest projects involves a planned public-private partnership with Wellington to transform the former Boys & Girls Club at Wellington Community Park on South Shore Boulevard into a state-of-the-art athletics training facility. That project is still in the approval stage with Wellington’s council.

Photos below from Monday’s event were provided by Wellington.

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