Week in Review
Monday, December 23, 2019
Today we started our second week of Phase Two. Being able to spend the day with our PEP brothers helped us all deal with the holiday stressors. We were able to work through our public speaking jitters in Toastmasters, while also honing our Microsoft skills.
We have all been looking forward to the program. Now we must stay focused and take full advantage of this opportunity in front of us. It’s important for us all to show our families what PEP is all about.
Brandon T. (a.k.a. “Silver Fox”)
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
We went to class and started our day with a PowerPoint presentation where we all learned about how to practice elevator pitches. We all participated in asking question as we were given examples from previous pitch videos. They were indeed helpful.
After that, it was time for us to pick out a class name to represent and define all the hard work and dedication we, as a class, are enduring together. The name that has the most potential would probably be “Visionaries of Spring 20/20.” We had a good time after we left class. The class got together and rehearsed with those who weren’t watching television. To top it off, we were able to have outside recreation. We hope to have more nice days like this one.
Israel Z. (a.k.a. “Cinnamon Roll”)
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Today we celebrated Christmas. This is a difficult time of year for many of us, since we are unable to be home with our families as they celebrate. With that being said, we were able to enjoy the good food we were given, and we celebrated as best we could with our fellow PEP brothers.
Many of us began to work on something called an “Elevator Pitch.” The goal of this is to present a business plan in a two-and-a-half to three-minute pitch. For many of us, this is the first time we have worked on anything so structured as this. Learning how to present a whole business plan in a concise speech is a lot harder than it seems, but it is a valuable skill to learn.
We were also able to go outside and enjoy the 70 degree Christmas weather that you can only get in Texas! Many of us also attended religious services. Hopefully this will be the last Christmas we have to spend away from our families.
Nicholas T. (a.k.a. “Cave Man”)
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Today Spring ’20 was called out for class. It was an unexpected blessing. We had just enough time to fellowship with our PEP brothers before getting down to business. While listening to the directions given by Phillip S., our computer lab tutor, concerning the homework assignment that is due next week, Avery W. and Louis M. were preparing to give us a presentation about the Venture Capital Pitch (VCP) event that will be coming up in the near future.
The class then voted on our class name, and we are now officially known as the “Visionaries of Spring 20/20.” We are looking forward to the coming week and what’s in store.
Christopher V (a.k.a. “Big Bird”)
Friday, December 27, 2019
As we progress through the second phase in PEP, planning and preparation are both critical. We are expanding our entrepreneurial skills and knowledge through classroom lessons and study groups. We are currently revising our pitches and perfecting them through repetition, practice and help from fellow graduates. Although there is a Christmas break going on within PEP operations, there’s no break for us. We must all continue to come together, study and prepare for the upcoming Venture Capital Panel (VCP) event that will be here on January 10th. By then, we all should be fully prepared to deliver inspiring and successful pitches to our venture capitalist guests.
Randy C. (a.k.a. “Mikey Galloway”)
Expressions
“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
~ Isaac Newton
We all make mistakes in life. It’s not the mistakes we make, but the lessons we learn from those mistakes that make us the people we are today, or who we are striving to become.
Scottie B. (a.k.a. “Banana Split”)