Willie Gary, a well-known attorney, has won numerous million-dollar settlements in court and has become known for his philanthropy, much of it focused on education.

He talked with students at Andrew Jackson High School on Wednesday, encouraging them to do well, but it wasn't your ordinary motivational speech.

The Andrew Jackson Tigers welcomed Gary with the blare of horns, the beat of drums and dance, all fanfare for a man they said inspires them.

"These days all you hear on the news about young black men are killings and shootings and stuff like that," student Artis Neal said, "but to see someone that's made it, that's successful and is somewhere that you might want to be."

The famous attorney visited the school to talk with students about the importance of college and setting big goals for themselves.

"You can do more, you can have more, but you got to want it," he told them.

Gary is one of the nation's highest paid trial attorneys, and he worked his way up from the poor farm communities of Florida and Georgia.

Students were initially wowed by his wealth, but it was his message of determination that really struck a chord.

"No matter what hand your dealt in life, you can rise above that," Gary said. "You can be whatever you want to be, you just have to want to be somebody."

It's a powerful message for students at the school, which received a failing grade for the 2009 school year. Despite their recent struggles in making the grade, the school's principal said the school has since made great strides, and she hopes figures like Gary will empower her students.

"Mr. Gary's beginnings started very humbly, like many of our students, but through hard work and education, he's become a multi-millionaire," principal Iranetta Wright said, "and I want my students to know that there's no ceiling on your ability."

Gary's message did not fall on deaf ears.

"Being cool doesn't get you paid, and in the end, they can't live your life for you, only you can live your life," Neal said.

Gary said the purpose of his speech was to challenge the students to dream big and to set goals for themselves even greater than what he's accomplished in his legendary legal career. Judging from the crowd's reaction, he made an impact.