Week 2

Week in Review

Monday July 9, 2018

The class of Fearless Fall ’18 greatly anticipated returning back to our regular class hours, as we were held back due to the Cleveland Unit’s annual lockdown. We all took this into consideration and utilized the time wisely. Studying our class curriculum was one of the many things we were told to be prepared for.

The one assignment we all happily participated in was, “Choosing Your Business Name.” The assignment was to propose five different name ideas and consult with one another about it. Having the help of our peers is one of the many great things that this program has to offer.

Matthew A. (a.k.a. “Snuggles”)

Tuesday July 10, 2018

The men of Fearless Fall ’18 are busy during this brief adjustment period. The powers that be have placed us on lockdown, but we are undeterred. Actually, the break is welcomed, and we are using this time wisely. We used the extra time to preparate our business plan assignments, because we know that these assignments possibly have the keys to a robust future for us and our loved ones.

Our first entrepreneurship test in Bert S.’s (a.k.a. Chocolate Truffles) class is coming up on Wednesday, and we are grateful to have a little extra study time to prepare. We are confident our predecessors have prepared us with due diligence, and now it is our time to shine!

William M. (a.k.a. “Mr. Burns”)

Wednesday July 11, 2018

The Cleveland Unit continued to be on its annual lockdown today. Unfortunately, lockdown means no unnecessary movement, which means no PEP. Usually on Wednesdays, we have our entrepreneurial class taught by Bert S. (a.k.a. Chocolate Truffles), but this week we will have to utilize our time to catch up on our other assignments.

The benefit of a lockdown, typically four days in duration where you are confined to your cell, is that we have time to study. We used this time by reading from our assigned book Living in the Village, preparing for a speech to be given in a room full of peers for Toastmasters, or both.

Also, we used the time to hammer out financial details for our business plans, determine potential profit margins or design a rough cut list for supplies or raw materials. As the hours passed, however, our minds drifted to Fearless Fall ‘18’s first event taking place tomorrow. Executives will fill every available space to offer advice and lend an ear to future entrepreneurs. We’re ready for all the possibilities that this Think Tank event will bring and the future beyond it.

Travis F. (a.k.a. “Jessica Rabbit”)

Thursday July 12, 2018 

This morning started off with the Cleveland Unit still on our annual lockdown. We are all quite anxious to have this past us, so we can get back to our normal schedule.

The lockdown allowed us to have plenty of much-needed time to study for a test in Bert S.’s (a.k.a. Chocolate Truffles) entrepreneurship class. Along with studying, we were able to practice our “Ice Breaker” Toastmasters speech with our cellmate. Even though we were restricted to our cells, we were eligible to keep ourselves busy with our PEP material. There is always some positive to be taken from the negative.

David T. (a.k.a. “Happy Day”)

Friday July 13, 2018

Today was an amazing day overall. Not only were we let up from lockdown, but we were able to kick-start our second phase with our first event. We started our morning with some music and awesome dance moves. Nobody was excluded from this “group therapy” session, and we were able to shake off all of our pre-event jitters. Some of us were hesitant at first, but after the right jam came on, it was all smiles from there.

We all formed a “welcome tunnel” to properly welcome our brave executive volunteers, some of whom were experiencing this program for their very first time. The room was instantly filled with a lot of love and energy as we welcomed them with endless high fives and handshakes. We then all joined together in prayer before we moved on to our assigned panels in the gym to start out Think Tank event.

Speaking to all of the executive volunteers was a great experience for us all. I believe we were able to gain many positive things from the various executives that we each spoke with. The day was filled with much conversation, as each executive experienced for themselves why we were named Fearless Fall 2018. We still have much work to do, but today was extremely beneficial for all parties involved. With the feedback we received as well as our determination, we will be able to complete our business plans successfully. We are counting down the days to our next event already.

Jeremy N. (a.k.a. “Carly Rae”)

Expressions

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

– Albert Einstein

We are at a challenging point in our lives. What we are doing here requires tremendous effort and courage. It takes dedication, diligence and perseverance to get through these trying circumstances. But hey, that’s life. No one promised us it would be easy.

The silver lining is that great things can come of it, but it’s up to us to take the reins and find purpose in our lives. Struggling through difficult situations builds confidence and character, which is exactly what we need to work on as we transition back to society.

So gentlemen, I challenge you to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity that has been extended to you. Don’t take it lightly. The knowledge you gain from this experience can be utilized in every facet of your life. Remember to stay focused on the bigger picture: your amazing future!

Timothy D. (a.k.a. “Ren”)