Week 19
Week in Review
Monday August 15, 2016
Man we are almost there! Where did the time go? Nine months, gone so fast. On day one who would have thought we would be here already? It is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. I am confident that my classmates feel the same way. Today was the last day of computer lab for most people, although some of us still have some track changes for pitches or business plans.
As for Toastmasters, there are no more speeches or pitches … unless it’s practicing for the upcoming Business Plan Competition event. And we have definitely been practicing. I am so proud of our Elite Summer ‘16 class. We have had some hard times and even more good times. I feel really close to all of my classmates. PEP for life – we are about to get our wings, and man it feels good!
Mario G. (a.k.a. Sweet Lucha Libre)
Tuesday August 16, 2016
Today at approximately 9:30 a.m. some of us had computer class, where we worked on Excel and PowerPoint. When we first started our lessons most of us were fairly rusty, but with time we all have made a major progress. At 12:30 p.m. we usually have Toastmasters class, which consists of 10 speeches that have different objectives you have to meet in a certain time period. But since we finished with our 10 speeches already, we took the time to rehearse our 7-12 minute business pitches. We are confident we can present well-structured pitches, which is good, because The Business Plan Competition event will take place at the Sanders Estes unit on September 15, 2016. I’ve got to admit that from the pitches I heard today, the panel of judges is in for a tough decision. Now we are even more prepared for the competition!
Ramiro G. (a.k.a. Sweet Pedro)
Wednesday August 17, 2016
Today was a pretty good day. We got to enjoy the wonderful world of Nooma (video series) along with a John F. presentation – his enthusiasm during the presentation was awesome. Don’t quote me on this, but I think John F. really likes his presentations and we do too. We think they’re exhilarating. We also got to watch an American history video which taught us a great deal about the Great Depression. We liked that a lot.
Otherwise our days are being spent reading Crime and Punishment and revising our pitches for the Business Plan Competition. At first Crime and Punishment was topsy turvy, but it’s actually turned out to be a pretty good book. We find ourselves enjoying it more and more every day. And as far as our pitches are concerned, we’re giving it our all. We plan to do our best and outshine the rest. Our goal is to go into the Business Plan Competition and knock the executives’ socks off with our ideas and pitches. I believe we’ve got this covered. Everybody’s going to be pleased with the efforts of Elite ‘16 when it’s all said and done. Trust me … I just pray everyone can keep up with L-Pod.
Tony H. (a.k.a. Sweet Black Licorice)
Thursday August 18, 2016
Being in Phase Two we don’t have class till after lunch but some of us went in to help out with the Phase One guys, including me. I must give a shout out and kudos to the Phase One class: everyone passed their test today. Keep up the good work, my brothers, and stay the course – it gets better every day. Phase Two had our first Crime and Punishment test today.
Wow – it’s almost at an end my friends, with only five more weeks till graduation. Everyone is excited about the weeks to come, and at the same time kind of despairing because it’s almost over. I didn’t think it would be as hard as it has been to say good-bye to those who went home, but I know I’ll see them again on the outside. Overall today, class was pretty fun we watched some Nooma videos, then prayed out and headed back to our respective pods.
Like those who have gone before I feel a certain link to each of you that will last a lifetime. Five short weeks my brothers … we’ve almost made it. Remember to lift up your Phase One brothers and do not forget to practice your pitches. The Business Plan Competition is right around the corner; let’s do Summer ’16, a.k.a. “Elite ’16,” proud. I am proud of each and every one of you!
Robert Hill (a.k.a. Sweet Go Head)
Expressions
Watching Phase Two grow and change has been a real privilege. We had a rough start. Imagine a bunch of guys who had been a certain way all their lives, and now all of a sudden they’re faced with challenges that they would not normally face. It takes a courageous person to overcome that. We as humans have a tendency to be against change. We may have our reasons ranging from fear to complacency. Whatever the case, these guys have stepped up to the challenge and not only have survived it but conquered it!
Of course, not all made it through. That is what makes this so special, because it is not for everyone. The opportunity is presented to everyone. However not everyone has the heart to complete the challenge. That is what this program is really about. Sure it is an Entrepreneurship program, but that is just a secondary reward. The main focus is change, and change these guys have. No longer do they curse or sag their pants. If you were to compare the guys who first started this journey to the guys who are here now, you would be staring at two different sets of people. It is amazing to see the differences. These new guys have a newfound sense of pride and honor. Their confidence is through the roof. I remember going through the same changes myself, but let me tell you what: it a whole different experience watching the changes take place from the sidelines. As the men in Elite ‘16 get closer to graduation, they soon will be there to help the Phase One brothers coming behind them, and together we can continue the journey of life.
Edgar R. (a.k.a Sweet Esqueleto) – Supreme 16 Graduate