By: April-Joy McCann
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People can make a difference; they are the “Power of One.” This was the message that Dr. Stephen Sroka gave during his presentation to the ASMHS students and class advisers at the gymnasium on Sept. 9, 2011. Students left with a changed perspective.
“Many students don’t feel like they can make a difference, that they’re (not) important, but I think (making a difference) incredibly important. Everyone is more powerful than what they think,” explained Sroka.
Sroka, who had previously been on the Oprah Winfrey show and was also featured in USA Today, was able to speak at MHS through the DOE that helped bring him here from Ohio. “It’s a good opportunity to bring someone from out of state (to talk to the students),” announced ASMHS Adviser Gail Nishimura.
By speaking to the students on issues such as bullying and health, Sroka’s goal is to influence their lives and encourage them to make an impact on campus. “Many people are dying (because of violence) and (by speaking) to (the students) you give them hope and life skills so they can make a difference,” Sroka expressed.
He interacted with the crowd by asking them difficult questions about themselves and describing different scenarios. “My favorite example was when he gave (a student in the audience) a $20 dollar bill and he crumpled and stomped on it, but it still had the same value,” explained Sophomore Holly Tanaka. Through evaluation of the situation Tanaka was able to see the overall message of Sroka’s Presentation. “Even if you get beaten down, you’re still (a) more powerful (and) more valuable individual,” Tanaka said.
Sroka hopes that students realize the “Power of One,” and that they can make an impact, as well as take away these three messages: learn all that they can, help each other and telling the people you love that you love them.
Sroka also taught students that the choices we make affect everyone around us, even the words we use. “Words do mean a lot. If you say one word, you could brighten someone’s day or if you say another word you could bring someone down,” Sophomore Rachel Sakuma described.
The students as well as the class advisers hope that Sroka returns next year, this time addressing the entire MHS body.
