Brian Adams walked with purpose through the hallways, as he explained the tenants of the Gentlemen’s Quest club. Although he’s a middle-schooler, when he spoke, he had the articulation of a man.
As the public relations chair of the Marshall Middle School’s Gentlemen’s Quest, Brian is used to public speaking. But his composed manner is something all the members share. Gentlemen’s Quest teaches troubled youth how to be successful by focusing on the grounds of brotherhood and respect.
Brian raps on the classroom door in a unique rhythm.
“We have a secret knock,” Brian says.
Sergeant at Arms Felipe Pecina returns the knock and opens the door.
This day was special. A potential member had turned in his application — uncreased — to the club. He was now standing in front of a room of about 40 members for a group interview.
President Ezekiel Dorsaint stood at his podium, listening closely to the discussion.
“I’m not the same person,” a current member says in his testimony to the newcomer. “The club gave me a reason to change. God gave me a reason to change.”
The members continued to ask about the newcomer’s interests, his talents. Then, Ezekiel called for the vote. It was unanimous. He was in.
“We try and let everyone in,” Ezekiel says. “But it depends on their reputation. If they’re known to be disruptive, then we put them on probation for the first couple of weeks.”
Like many new recruits, even the club officers had been through a period of troublemaking.
Ezekiel had been disrespectful to teachers and family. In sixth grade, he was averaging three referrals a week and getting in-school and out-of-school suspensions. Then, a teacher told him about Gentlemen’s Quest.
“I didn’t really take her seriously,” Ezekiel says. “I didn’t think it would change me. But then, in seventh grade, I started noticing changes.”
To date, Ezekiel has been on the honor roll for the past two years.
The boys’ hard work and dedication doesn’t just earn them a good reputation at school. Their home lives change, too.
Felipe’s mother told him she would throw him a party if his grades improved. Once he joined Gentlemen’s Quest, Felipe turnned his D’s and F’s into five A’s, one B and one C.
“In the guidance office, they’ve all been talking about me,” Felipe says. “In this club, I like that I have someone to talk to.”
The members’ success has been so apparent that parents have even come to the club as guest speakers.
Public Relations Officer 2 Kaleb Pedone’s father, Vic, stood in front of the group of boys following the new-member induction.
“I’m really impressed with your club,” Pedone says. “I’m glad that you decided to make this change. I’m glad my son is part of this.”
Gentlemen’s Quest is headed by teacher Stanley Glover. His enthusiastic nature and gifts of understanding and mediation make him the perfect motivator for this group of students.
“This group is a very powerful group,” Glover says. “Under the leadership of our president and his team, I think this year will be great.”
The club started in 2007, modeled after a group at Chamberlain High School. Currently, the club is about 40 members. After club day in the next couple of weeks, Glover expects the number to jump to about 60.
Gentlemen’s Quest meets every Wednesday. But, it also is offered as a class called Peer Counseling, which Grover teaches. There are about 25 students in the class.
To be part of Gentlemen’s Quest, students have to keep their grades up and learn more than 100 inspirational quotes in the first semester.
The members introduce themselves with a quote, their rank and then their name.
The only thing to fear, is fear itself.
A journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.
You cannot ride on a man’s back, unless it’s bent.
The students must also be respectful toward faculty and other students and complete service projects.
So far, the club has volunteered on a variety of projects, such as planting 11 flower beds on campus and painting the schools parking blocks. Volunteering is Ezekiel’s favorite aspect of the club.
“I like to give out to the community,” Ezekiel says. “We help them as much as we can.”
Members also are expected to dress a certain way. Every other Monday, the club members dress in suits and ties.
“We enter to learn, depart to serve,” Grover says.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.