NFL Legend Inspires Building Men Students at Annual Day of Peace Conference

What’s going right in your life?
What’s going wrong?
What can we help you with?
 
These questions were the lunch ticket for students from Corcoran, Henninger, ITC, Nottingham, and PSLA at Fowler attending the Building Men Day of Peace.
 
Their day began wish snacks while they watched a Denzel Washington commencement speech called ‘Fall Forward.’
 
“You guys are filled with greatness,” Building Men Program Coordinator Joe Horan told them. “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
 
SuperBowl champion Dorsey Levens – a Nottingham graduate himself – gave a keynote address, speaking with students about success, failure, and the characteristics needed to grow themselves as men. He spoke about mindfulness, focusing on the present moment, and how they are the only ones responsible for their own success. His message was one centered on reprograming your mind and changing how you think.
 
“It’s about talking to young men and getting them in the right mind,” Mr. Levens shared. “You have to have the right mind set to be successful. Building Men is doing what it says: it’s building men. My program is centered around being peaceful and having peace of mind. I went to high school with a lot of these kids’ parents! It hits home. If you want to change the world, you have to start at home.”
 
To conclude the day, students worked in small groups to determine, based on Mr. Levens’ remarks, what characteristic they will focus on for the remainder of the year to help them create a positive mindset.
 
Self-confidence, patience, self-control, determination, discipline, leadership, and kindness were among the traits they selected.
 
“It’s a good atmosphere here! I woke up with a smile on my face today.” Henninger junior Ja’sir Williams shared – noting that he remembered attending the Building Men Day of Peace last year and he was looking forward to the new inspiration. “I appreciate these opportunities, because I know that later in life, I’ll be able to look back on these. Building Men is a brotherhood. It’s a solid core that I can fall back on… there’s a real camaraderie there. It’s dope that Mr. Levens is here… and that he’s from here. He shows where you can go… how far you can go… but you can still come back and give back.”
 
“We are lucky to attend multiple events like this every year, and they’re all impactful,” Henninger junior Noah Ginty added. “It’s the experience. They tell us things that they’ve been through – so you know it’s the truth. Because of the Building Men Program, my attendance is better. My grades are better. I have more confidence in myself now. I’d tell anyone to join Building Men. Having a mentor, like we have in this program: it can only bring you up and make you better!”
 
 
 
Superintendent Davis even stopped by to commend the students for the leadership they display by being part of the Building Men Program.
 
“By being here, and by making positive choices, you’re making a difference already,” Superintendent Davis shared. “Your voice is going to make things better. You’re going to be our future leaders… so thank you.”
 
We’re proud of the Building Men students who are working hard to make a difference in their communities – as well as to Mr. Levens and all who contributed to making the Building Men Day of Peace event a success!