Press coverage

Power of one empowers students

Motivational speaker at West G schools takes on topics facing teenagers

By Betsy Scott
The News-Herald
May 3, 2005

West Geauga High and Middle School students need three "Fs" to live healthier, happier lives, according to nationally renowned speaker Stephen Sroka.

Of course, it was not grades he was talking about at the schools Monday.

The "Fs" stand for family, friends and faith, some of the key ingredients to keeping students away from the dangers of sex, drugs, bullying and other problems that threaten to undo today's youth. "My real message is" the power of one ... to make a difference," Sroka said. "(The students) really are more important than they think."

Sroka, of Lakewood, is an adjunct assistant professor for Case Western Reserve University's Center for Adolescent Health. He is also a Disney Health Teacher of the Year, is in the National Teacher Hall of Fame and has appeared on "Oprah."

He told students how he grew up in the Cleveland projects and was erroneously labeled retarded. After getting into a fight that left him wheelchair-bound for a time, he learned the importance of using his mind, and ended up with a doctorate from Case Western Reserve University specializing in health education. "I'm a ghetto rat; I made it because of education," Sroka said.

The presentations, which culminated in a talk geared toward parents Monday night, aimed to meet students on their level. He touched on everything from the damage of cruel words to that done by promiscuity and marijuana use. He said he toned down the talk a bit for the middle-school students - only eighth-graders attended.

"My body. My choice. I'm not a toy. I am the power of one," was a mantra Sroka had students repeat. Afterward, students at both schools swarmed the speaker, some seeking hugs and autographs, others advice. Students said the messages hit home. "He's the best speaker that we've ever had here," said eighth-grader Tyler Cratcha of Chester Township. "He's given all these kids here inspiration. I'm not really into all that stuff, but I know, because of this, I have the power of one, so I'm not going to do that stuff."

Classmate Erin Walker of Chester Township like the way Sroka related to students. "I think his experience was motivating ... you can trust him," she said.

West Geauga High School Principal Joe Mueller said Sroka's message to parents also is important, because it allows them to ask questions about what teens are facing, and encourages them that they are not alone in dealing with such issues. "It's so hard for parents to do the right thing, because it's not the popular thing with the kids," Mueller said.

Sroka said the barrage of media promoting detrimental behaviors in youth are a huge obstacle, but "the biggest problem we have today is parenting." "Adults want to be friends, not parents," he said. "What you permit, you promote."

This is the second time Sroka has spoken to students in West Geauga schools. The first time was in 1998. In 2000, he spoke to the high school's Parent Teacher Organization and staff, Mueller said. "He spent 1 1/2 speaking at the high school, and they were absolutely focused," Mueller said of the students after Monday's. "They believe him when he tells them about the danger of alcohol, drugs, STDs. "It legitimizes all of those implicit things we do for the kids."