May 8, 2009 — St. Thomas and St. John high school students learned the mechanics of success Friday from motivational speaker Commander Drew Brown.
Over 100 students from Charlotte Amalie High School and Ivanna Eudora Kean High School's JROTC programs as well as honor students and some specially invited guests got to hear Brown's plan for success in life.
Brown, a highly decorated U.S. Navy aviator, shared his road map to success with students, often using stories that brought surprised exclamations from an audience that is not easily shocked.
"It's hard stuff," Brown said. "Education, respect, sex — its not easy. I'm not pulling any punches here. Kids know right from wrong."
His 11 facts in life are:
1. Wake up, show up and pay attention.
2. Be happy and have fun.
3. Everything you do comes back to you.
4. Have purpose.
5. The art of thought. The art of communication. The art of action.
6. Good will overcome evil.
7. Use common sense and moderation.
8. Emit integrity and respect!
9. Develop self-discipline.
10. Treat others as you want to be treated.
11. You gotta believe.
Brown's presentation opens with a film of powerful images of flying a jet off an aircraft carrier, touch-and-go landings and bringing the aircraft safely back onto the vessel.
The lights dimmed after the film and slowly a spotlight picked out a lone, still figure in a bright blue jumpsuit, yellow ascot and aviator frames. The lights came up and Brown began.
Brown talked about growing up in the projects in Harlem, the son of the late Bundini Brown, Muhammad Ali's trainer, and realizing what he needed to do to be successful and happy in life. His whole life experience is the basis for the 11 facts in life. He decided that he wanted to be a pilot and joined the Navy to follow his dream.
His dreams had just started. While in the Navy, his ship, the Admiral Nimitz called at St. Thomas. Smitten with the island, Brown promised himself that someday he would make it his home.
Brown talked about living in the territory, relating how the 11 facts applied to everything from traffic, to using proper English when it is called for, to sex, to alcohol and drugs, to violence.
Brown talked about the gangs in the territory, saying that his gang, the U.S. Navy, was "badder" than any punk gang that the territory has to offer.
"What makes me bad," Brown said, "Is that I can fly a jet at over 500 miles an hour."
Brown's message focuses on taking responsibility for your own actions and he related a phase he learned in the military — "no excuse, sir" — which he says is difficult for anyone to rebut, while at the same time shows that you did not blame anybody or any circumstances for the action, but you took responsibility.
"When you don't take responsibility, you are giving someone else your power," Brown said.
Brown also emphasized education and getting a four-year college degree but also emphasized the importance of doing a job that you love. This was a big part of his message about purpose.
"Nobody can stop you if you find your [purpose], and use it," Brown said. "Everyday, do what you love and do it well."
Brown spoke also about the importance of respect and self-respect in dating relationships, cautioning the students of the consequences of being involved sexually and the importance of men being fathers to their children.
Kean students Priselsa Lopez and Audwin Edwards said their take-away message from the performance was one of respect, maintaining a positive attitude.
"Anger doesn't take you a long way," Lopez said. "Thinking about it [a conflict], talking about it will."
The message of self-responsibility struck a chord in Lopez.
"You shouldn't be forced to do anything," Lopez said. "You can do whatever you want. You should go to college because you want to go to college, not because you're being told to."
Edwards objected somewhat to Brown's characterization of young men who just wanted sex.
"When he said that men want to go with girls just to have sex – some guys do actually care, and if I had a child I would take care of him," Edwards said, noting that he helps to care for his five-month-old nephew.
Brown said after the presentation that speaking to the students was rewarding.
"I was in heaven with these kids," Brown said. "I have found my gift and I use it."
"You Gotta Believe" runs nightly through Sunday, May 10. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Red Hook Mail Center, V.I.P. Awards and Engraving in Wheatley Center and at the theater. For more information, contact Pistarckle Theater at 340-775-7877.
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