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"The No. 1 thing that you can do in the next four years is get up and go to breakfast," Malloy said to laughs from his young audience. "Don't sleep the next four years or the next 40 years. Embrace life, grab it with gusto, make change, affect people, give back to community, raise great kids, if that is what you want to do.
"Be engaged, and the best way to start each and every day is to get up and have breakfast."
Malloy was joined by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, and Stamford Mayor David Martin at the morning event for seniors, which was organized by a student group, Steps to American Greatness.
Malloy proudly reminded the crowd that with 14 years in office, he is Stamford's longest-serving mayor. But he also told the students how he faced severe impediments, growing up with dyslexia and a physical handicap that meant he wasn't able to button his shirt or tie his shoelaces until he was in fifth grade. He said he went through a lot of therapy to overcome that physical disability and also worked hard to succeed academically, even though he was unable to write due to his dyslexia.
He urged his listeners to overcome whatever challenges they face.
"All of us are challenged. We are not defined by our challenge unless we let it define us. The better way to think about this is you are defined by overcoming your challenge and making the best of it and I try to do that."
Himes, who staged an upset of incumbent Republican Chris Shays in a hard-fought 2008 Congressional race, said he had always been intrigued by government's ability to do good things, such as civil rights and putting the man on the moon.
"When you really think about what government has done over time, when it gets it right, it really gets it right," Himes said. "In the back of my mind I thought to myself even when I was your age, someday I am going to try that."
After college, he spent 12 years in business and then moved into the nonprofit world to help to build affordable housing.
It was then that Himes decided to challenge Shays. He called it "a huge and difficult decision" with a big chance of losing. But Himes said he had to take the risk, even if he lost.
"I really tortured myself over it and I decided to go for it. I just realized in that moment, at some point in my life, I have to take big risks, I have to go for that thing that is there now but may not be there again."
Martin said he is motivated in public service to make things "a little bit better" for everyone.
Vukel, 17, and STAG's vice president, Zachary Geremia, 17, began mulling over the idea of inviting the area's top politicians back in October. They were surprised they were able to snag the three politicians.
"Personally no. I thought maybe the mayor at most, because of busy schedules," Geremia said. "It was really surprising because we are high school seniors, and it's not really expected of us I guess."
Malloy urged the students to do everything they can to lead happy, productive lives.
"Life is long, but it is also too short not to be happy," he said.
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