Week 21

Week in Review

Monday May 29, 2017

Today was a fairly relaxed day. It was Memorial Day, so we stayed in the dorms and just practiced our pitches. With us being so close to the Business Plan Competition (BPC) and graduation, we are really amped up. All the hard work that we have put in will be worth it to finally walk across the stage, even more so because it’s in front of our family and friends.

As we prepare to graduate and begin a new journey, it would be hard not to think about the upcoming class, Fall ‘17. These men will soon be finished with the first character phase and will jump straight into the second business phase.  We the Kings of Spring ’17 are doing all we can to prepare them for what’s ahead. To be able to pour into them, as our brothers have done before us, is absolutely a thrill to be a part of.

Not too long ago we were just getting to the unit and starting the first phase ourselves. We were nervous, unsure of what PEP really was, but now here we are about to graduate and move on to bigger and better things. All of this would not have been possible without the love and support of our family and friends. Also we have to thank our PEP family and the brothers that have come before us. Thank you all for everything! Go Kings of Spring ’17!

Xavier A. (a.k.a. Chocolate Drizzle)

Tuesday May 30, 2017

The day was filled with love all the way around the unit. Everyone was anticipating the BPC, so everyone was encouraging each other. We know we will do great, but we’re ready for the event. We have been counting down to Thursday for months.

Men’s Life and Leadership Academy were great. Those guys are so far ahead of us in coming out of their shells, and we love being involved with their growth. It’s almost their time to expand their brains in Bert’s class.

We are waiting to see how graduation will be. From all that has been said, it will be an emotional rollercoaster ride. With all the families there, we don’t know how it’s going to feel. However, we do know this: we the Kings of Spring ’17 are more than ready.

Donald M. (a.k.a. Jerome)

Wednesday May 31, 2017

Today was the final day for the Kings of Spring ’17 to practice their pitches before our Business Plan Competition. The men have been working overtime to fine tune their presentations.

No matter who walks away with “Bert’s Bucks,” we have all won. We have developed friendships that are priceless and have overcome so much together. Two more days, then it will be all about the brothers coming up behind us.

I look forward to finishing alongside my brothers. I believe they will be talking about the Kings of Spring ’17 for a long time to come. Love you guys!

Michael M. (a.k.a. M & M)

Thursday June 1, 2017

It is bittersweet, but today we persevered through continual change. Men were imbued with that divine unrest, which is never satisfied with conditions as they are and always striving for improvement. Kings of Spring ‘17, we are enjoying the fruits of our labor. Just like a gardener who cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, we have toiled these past nine months to bring forth a harvest.

Graduation is here! We are proud of being the men that we are today. For Fall ’17, it is real and it is possible! You men are halfway there – lean on your graduate brothers (servant leaders) when times get tough and encourage those who will be coming after you.

The initiative team’s time has been well spent, and soon these men will be sent back towards perilous terrain. Though your task may be great, know that your brothers believe in you, and that small disciplines repeated with consistency everyday lead to great achievements gained slowly over time. Let us not forget how we got here. It is because of God and His grace and mercy that we have been blessed to not only have the greatest of opportunities to succeed, but also the gift of a new family: PEP.

Jason C. (a.k.a. Strawberry Preservative)

Friday June 2, 2017

Well, the Kings of Spring ‘17 finally did it. We graduated! This is only the beginning of our new lives. Before graduation we had a tough Business Plan Competition, and you could feel the excitement in the air as we gave it our all. It came down to four finalists, and we’re sure anyone would have hated to be the judge of such a stiff competition. The finalists gave it their all, leaving the final decision to the panel.

The day of graduation was so emotional. We were all excited and nervous to have made it this far. Putting on the cap and gown felt amazing, because some of us have never graduated anything before. Some of us were in shock when we walked into the gym and saw all the executives and our families waiting for us, giving us high fives, cheering us on. It will definitely be a day that none of us will forget.

Martin D. (a.k.a. Brown Sugar)

Expressions

 “The more sweat in peace, the less blood in war.”

~Unknown

Recently someone asked me, “Why do you go to work every day?” I do so for me. The next question he asked me was, “What do you get out of it?” I answered by saying I get new good habits. The habits I create here are the habits I want to take with me when I go home. And the more positive habits I have, the less negative habits I won’t have when I go home. The best way to get rid of your bad habits is to replace them with good habits.

Right now is the perfect time that we can work on our weaknesses. All the negative character traits that we have can be improved on and eventually diminished. So let’s say I want to work on my people skills. I would have to get a job where I interact with people all day long. I don’t smile. I’m reclusive. I’m shy. But I would like to be able to lead and speak to a group of people in the near future and be able to hold a welcoming conversation with anyone I meet. The times we have nothing going on are the best times to do something to better ourselves. Proper preparation right now will help us be well-prepared for what conflicts we may come across when we are out. The more we prepare ourselves for success, the less likely it will be to fail later on.

Working hard now to prepare and build new habits will reduce the possibility for failure in life. A positive mind, positive attitude and positive habits lead only to success.

Alexius T. (a.k.a. Cherry Dr. Pepper)