Week 7
Monday May 8, 2017
Today at PEP we had Toastmasters, a class that makes our public speaking better. Today, I was evaluator #4, and I evaluated Jimmy M’s speech, “My First 10-Speed Bike.” The speech was very interesting. It had a good opening, body and conclusion. The class liked the part where he said he was pumping air into his tires and a man came and rolled over his new bike. That must have been devastating because everyone remembers their first new bike. We all enjoyed his speech because it was entertaining.
After Toastmasters we gave our pitches that we are going to present to PEP volunteer executives this Thursday at our Alcon Day event. We have been preparing our pitches, and now the time has come for us to step up to the stage. We all did well, but I could have done a lot better. We just have to work on our pitches a little bit more. Practice makes perfect! Getting up in front of people makes us nervous at first, but once we started saying our pitches, it came naturally. Everyone who gave his pitch did really well overall. We prayed-out together as a group and left the PEP room, which is when we would normally go to the computer lab but it was cancelled today due to scheduling. That was how our day went here at Sanders Estes Unit. Thank you for reading this. God bless!
Johnathan H. (a.k.a. Dirty Q-tip)
Tuesday May 9, 2017
Today was another surprise to us here in the Pristine ’17 class. It all seemed to be just as before, when boom! – we were instructed to “place everything under your chairs!” It was time for a pop quiz. “Uh-oh” was the thought that came to us all. It wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be, because we know the number one rule we all live by is, “Don’t panic.” As our day continued, several of us were able to practice presenting our two-and-a-half minute pitch in front of the class to familiarize ourselves with the rush of public speaking. It was really interesting to observe how talented and creative we can be. That passed too fast, because it was too much fun!
We then proceeded to pray-out two of our brothers who will be released soon. That is what we do to provide one another with some extra motivation for guys to look back on if things get tough after they are released. Then we received a packet that will teach us to evaluate and learn competition and differentiation to go in our business plan after we graduate and complete this curriculum in the future. Other than that, I guess all in all, it is just one day further away, yet, one day closer to us all reuniting with family and friends. Things can be tough and hard to handle at times, but isn’t that the same for everyone?
Gil H. (a.k.a. Twinkle)
Wednesday May 10, 2017
It is the early morning and I’m sure I am not the only one gathering his thoughts for the day. Thanks to PEP we have become more conscious of the 24 hours we have in each day. Right now our primary focus is staying mentally prepared for our Chapter 5 test, followed by a full presentation on the Economics of One Unit (EOUs) presented by the one and only Mr. Bert S.
After some last minute studying before the test, we went to the PEP classroom. This brotherhood is teaching us that no matter how big or small of a step you take, as long as you are pointed in the right direction, your steps will get closer to your goals.
We took the chapter five test, and the majority of the class passed with flying colors. PEP has reminded us how to be persistent and self-driven, and has also shown us the power of believing in ourselves. Much of the credit is due to Bert S. He is authentic when it comes to teaching us and brings out the best in us. I am sure that things can only get better for us, our families and our communities from this point forward.
Roderick H. (a.k.a. Queen Latifah)
Thursday May 11, 2017
The Alcon Day is finally here. I cannot explain the feelings my brothers are feeling, but I am sure some of them feel the way I am: nervous and anxious. This will be the first time we give our pitches in front of executives, and most of us are not great public speakers. We have been working hard on our pitches, though, and are ready to see how well we do.
Once we made it to the PEP room we relaxed a moment before welcoming our visitors with a human “tunnel” full of music and high fives as each executive came through the door. Shortly after, we were seated to watch a small skit prepared by some of the Servant-Leaders. Then we were broken up into small rooms to give our pitches. The room I was in had some fierce competition and great ideas. For the most part we did very well, and the panel provide us with great feedback that we can use in the future.
It did not stop there – once we reunited in the PEP room it was time for six of my brothers (the “Sassy Six”) to dance and give their testimonies about how PEP has given them a new perspective and how the program has helped. And then to hear how the volunteers were touched by us and how much they enjoyed the event made all the hard work worth it. PEP is amazing. To know that people care about us and are willing to help us, who can look past our mistakes and give us a second chance is a wonderful feeling. As the event ended some of us mingled with the executives, telling them how thankful we are for the opportunity to have met them. Thanks to Keith B. for bringing these great people to Estes – we hope they will be back soon.
Vincent H. (a.k.a. Sweet-n-Low)
Expressions
I am thankful to have this opportunity to speak about my experience this far into Phase Two of PEP. I would like to encourage my brothers who have made it this far to keep going. It is a challenge a lot of us have embraced because there is success down the road.
Things have gotten really intense this past week as we have to study from books such as our Entrepreneurship textbook, Living in The Village, and Excellence in Etiquette, as well as working on our pitches and EOU’s (Economics of Units). This class has been consistent. Completing assignment after assignment will ease our transition to a real business environment. We are committed to doing something positive that will impact our family, friends and community.
We had a “pre-” Venture Capital Panel (VCP) event, courtesy of Keith B. and some volunteers from Alcon, and we got some good feedback during the event. It was a step forward for most of us to be able to execute a two-and-a -half minute pitch. It is not about what we have done, but more about what we can do. PEP can reveal our strengths and expose our weaknesses, which is not a bad thing. PEP is preparing us for the journey ahead.
I look at this whole experience as a blessing and another chance to make things right in life. Graduation will come soon and that is only the end of the beginning. Pristine ‘17 will bring more entrepreneurs to the world, and we will lead by example. Lives will be changed, families will be supported and communities will be strengthening because of our efforts. “We will strive to thrive.”
Rodric H. (a.k.a. Geico Lizard)