Week 18

Week in Review

Monday April 30, 2018

It was an exceptional day for my fellow classmates; the Soldiers of Spring ’18 were very enthusiastic, just like on our first day in the PEP, which was a wonderful feeling! Those in computer class were finalizing their computer lessons, and those in Toastmasters were wrapping up their final speeches, so for the most part everyone is getting ready for graduation and the Business Plan Competition.

It’s truly amazing to look back and see how far we have come during these last several months. Now we understand our past problems along with the tools PEP has given us. These tools will help us in real life situations. We can now accept responsibility and reject passivity. We all have learned a new language which carries over to a better vision.

We just want to thank the staff, facilitators, executives and fellow PEP alumni for their precious time and pray that God continues to meet all your needs. The support you show helps us affirm we are heading in the right direction. To all our PEP family, there is hope in the distant future that our worlds may collide with our destinies. Stay focused people and lead courageously.

Derrick J. (a.k.a. “Big Worm”)

Tuesday May 1, 2018

The Soldiers of Spring ’18 are getting closer to graduation. Most of my brothers are wrapping up their final Toastmaster speeches. Our computer class is wrapping up also. We just have some final touches to add to our business plans and they will be done too.

All throughout the week, we have all been studying our pitches for our event this Friday. We all are eager to be able to receive some positive feedback and valuable insight about our pitches. We have all made a tremendous transformation here and are very grateful for this opportunity.

To my brothers, continue to strive toward success and never look back. We can only move forward from now on. Thank you PEP for seeing the good in us.

David B. (a.k.a. “Ron White”)

Wednesday May 2, 2018

Today in Bert S.’s class, the Soldiers of Spring ’18 where pumped up and thrilled to practice our pitches. We utilized our time in class today to break into small groups and recite our pitches to one another.

One more month, Soldiers, and we will officially be Servant-Leaders. Congratulations to all of Spring ’18. With graduation near, we will now be able to direct all our wisdom and knowledge toward the Fall ’18 class.

Thanks PEP for all that you have done for us. We will look back at all our efforts these past several months and realize this journey was a life-changing event. God bless to all my brothers.

James C. (a.k.a. “Big Red”)

Thursday May 3, 2018

Today we helped our new brothers in the Fall ’18 class. During their Leadership Academy class, we discussed how to become a better man. Specifically, how what occurs here in PEP affects our outlook in the free world. This process will eventually produce an overall better man. We are all so glad to see our Fall ’18 brothers embrace the PEP culture.

Tomorrow is an important day for the Spring ’18 class: our Pitch Day event. All of us are going over our pitches, polishing them up and putting final touches on them. You can feel the excitement in the air. Good luck, Soldiers of Spring ’18.

Daniel S. (a.k.a. “Ben Stein”)

Friday May 4, 2018

Guess what day it is? It’s Pitch Day! Today the Soldiers of Spring ’18 got to show how hard work pays off by pitching their business plans to the executive panels. Our pitches were 7-10 minutes long and provided the panel with an overview of our business ideas. The panel members provided us with valuable advice which will be used in preparing for next month’s Business Plan Competition.

The Pitch Day event featured a lip-syncing competition between some of my follow PEP brothers and some of the executives. We had a wonderful time watching these lip-syncing battles. Adam, one of the executive volunteers, did a cover of Aqua’s Barbie Girl that left the crowd in stitches.

Cornell L. (a.k.a. “Licorice”)

Expressions

“I don’t FAIL but I do FALL. I don’t DROWN but I do go DOWN. When I fall my heart stays up; when I go down my dreams stay on their feet to pull me up. I’m way too far from the end.”

~ Bizanani Hadebe

We have all been down before, to where we assumed we were at our lowest point in life. But that was just life throwing us a curveball to see how we would react. We have all failed at one point in time, but that was a life lesson. Through all the ups and downs that life has given us, our hearts have stayed strong. What motivates you in life to keep pursing your dreams? Mine is my wife and kids, to see them proud and happy of the man I have become. We all have faced many doubts in our journey, but it only made us stronger. We are not at the end, my brothers, for there is a whole life out there that awaits us. I am certain that each and every one of you has what it takes to become the man the universe intended you to be.

Ronny V.  (a.k.a. “Ron Cakes”)