Free summer youth program kicks off with character lessons from Scott Brown

 

[June 19, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

Lincoln’s First Presbyterian Church Pastor Adam Quine has a special place in his heart for young people. The Center for Creativity and Community at First Pres grew out of this feeling. He wanted to create a program that would engage middle school students in meaningful activities for the summer.

Laura Elliott, First Presbyterian Pastor Adam Quine and Scott Brown. Pastor Quine initiated and obtained a grant to fund the program as a way to engage Lincoln’s youth. He then reached out to Elliott to act as the facilitator. She has a deep background in public relations. Scott Brown is the first outside speaker for the summer series, a man with a long history of mentoring and engaging young people through his role as a police officer and director of Lincoln Tae Kwon Do karate club.

An idea and a grant application soon lead to the reality of the program. Through contacts in Lincoln he soon became acquainted with Laura Elliott who agreed with the concept of the program and stepped into the role as facilitator. During each free session held at the church students can discuss their feelings in a safe and nurturing atmosphere and engage in activities such as art and music.

Elliott indicated that road trips to local educational sites will soon be part of the program.

First Presbyterian Center for Creativity and Community facilitator Laura Elliott introduces speaker Scott Brown.

One important aspect of the program that Elliott definitely wanted to implement is to have speakers come to the sessions and engage the kids in topics that are important to them. To this end, her latest presenter is local karate expert and long-time Sheriff’s Deputy, Scott Brown.

Brown has always had a way of reaching school kids with his honest approach to the issues that are important to them. He gets it, what it means to be a student in today’s atmosphere of social media and intense peer pressure. “I always want kids to know that they can trust a police officer, that we are not just there to enforce the law, but guide them and provide a safe space for them regardless of their issues,” he said.

Using his long history with Korean karate, he stressed that the form of fighting is not just moves to disable an opponent, but to a greater extent a means to develop character and emotional strength.

Brown challenged his audience to come up with character traits that are important to them and in their future roles as responsible adults. “I stress making great first impressions. People we meet, possibly important people who will be vital to our success in life such as teachers and employers, need to see a confident and respectful person right off the bat,” he said. A poor first impression is very difficult to overcome.

In karate, we always bow to our opponent before starting a match as a show of respect to the other person. “In karate as in life, respect shown to people we meet creates a positive first impression,” he said.

“One of the most important attributes one can develop is a respect for ones’ own reputation. Karate teaches that how we treat others has a strong influence on our reputation,” he said.

Brown stressed that how we treat others has a profound influence on a person’s reputation. A person’s positive reputation can go a long way to engender respect from others. “We just can’t go along with our peers regardless of what they want to do. Dare to say that what your friends want to do goes against your best instincts,“ he said. “Let them see that you value your reputation more than just being a member of a possibly misguided group,” he said.

Karate teaches strength of character as well as physical strength. “A person’s reputation and honesty always has an impact on a family’s reputation. That is one vital impact of a person’s conduct,” Brown stressed.

“Karate teaches that we are all unique, and the discipline teaches a higher level of education, confidence, strength of character, and a life style that stresses longevity through treating our bodies with respect,” Brown concluded.

Brown didn’t talk at the kids, but brought them into his life experience with frankness and the positive role karate played in it.

Elliott, Brown and volunteer Cherie Aper with the group of students who attended the Thursday afternoon discussion.

The Center for Creativity and Community is open to sixth and seventh graders and is a free program. The next scheduled programs are set for Tuesday, July 2, Wednesday, July 3 and Thursday, July 4 from 12:30-5 p.m. [http://www.preslincoln.org/home].

Youth meet at First Presbyterian's third floor Youth Center, 301 Pekin Street, Lincoln.

Youth are welcome to join at any time. For inquiries please email [e-mail]  or call 217-732-6141.

[Curtis Fox]