Summary: Motivational speaker Bill Ballenger along with Break the Grey, a non-profit group that includes a talented group of young people utilized music and contemporary skits to demonstrate an important message to students at Dover High School.
The message middle and high school students heard at an assembly held at Dover High School on Sept. 13wasnt new. The way it was delivered, however was. Bill Ballenger along with Break the Grey, a non-profit organization that utilizes popular music, fast-moving images and live skits performed by real kids demonstrated some of the issues young people face as they struggle to make it to adulthood.
Coordinated by Joan Stiffler of New Philadelphia, the assembly was made possible through contributions made by local individuals, families and businesses. Fundraising efforts headed up by Steve Mastin of Dover began months ago in order to bring Ballenger and Break the Gray to area schools. We wanted our kids to hear the message this group had to offer and they were going to need food to eat, a place to stay and the community made it possible, said Mastin.
Dover High School principal Kary McCrate thought the assembly was well-timed. This time of year our biggest goal is to create a positive school climate, said McCrate. Kids are adjusting to being back in school and they always learn better when they get off to a good start. We face the same social issues as schools in larger districts and we have great kids and great families here. We want to challenge our kids to be good leaders and this assembly reinforces that.
Students in grades 6-12 as well as teachers, councilors and administrators were a captive audience as the assembly got under way. Loud music echoed through the hot, crowded gymnasium as an enthusiastic Break the Gray cast member motivated the crowd.
Using non-verbal skits that included issues like relationships, domestic violence, self-worth, cutting, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide, Break the Gray held nothing back and the audience was noticeably shaken by the honesty with the all-too-familiar topics.
Ballenger eventually took front and center and began to communicate with students at a level they could comprehend. I did not come here to talk about myself, said Ballenger. I came here to talk about things we usually sugar-coat.
Ballenger asked students to raise their hands if they knew of someone under the age of 20 that had died due to the poor choices they made in their lives. A staggering number of students acknowledged they had. He asked students if they knew of other students who were involved with the selling of prescription drugs in their school. Many raised their hands.
Kids that sell drugs are contributing to the death of their own friends, said Ballenger. Would you rather save a friendship or save a life? You have the opportunity to tell an adult you trust, a teacher, a councilor. Stand up. Be a leader. I know it sounds cheesy, it sounds crazy. I have been through some hell in my life and I know you have too. For some reason I got a second chance. Maybe that reason is so I could be here today.
Born in Franklin, Indiana the 43 year old Ballenger had a rough start in life. Ballenger turned to a life of drugs and violence that resulted in a prison sentence that would separate him from his wife and infant daughter.
In prison Ballenger found hope and faith that allowed him to emerge a changed man who was willing to help others through motivational speaking and music. Students were give complimentary tickets to a concert Ballenger would give later that same day that featured popular songs students would recognize as well as his own original faith-based compositions.
I wouldnt be where I am today without God, said Ballenger. I want to take my message everywhere. We are all valuable. We are all special. Even though these kids dont know me, something connects us. When they realize they have control over their own lives they will be ok.
