Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
February 28, 2001
Real men have character, faith and values, boys told
Former Denver Broncos football star Haven Moses challenges youth to be leaders
By Roxanne King
About 100 junior high boys from inner-city Catholic schools learned what it takes to be a real man in a real world during a day-long retreat at the John Paul II Center Feb. 23.
"We want you to know how much you're cared about and how important you are," Moses told the seventh and eighth grade boys. "We want you to be the best you can be. You can all be leaders and can be successful by doing the right things and making the right choices.
"Being a real man requires having character and values, and making a difference in your community — in your families' lives, your lives and the lives of others," Moses continued. "Take this day and learn from it — challenge yourself. Take this day with you when you leave here."
In addition to hearing from Moses, keynote speaker for the event, the boys heard a panel discussion presented by young men who shared how they overcame challenges and became "successes."
Panelists included Chris Medina, producer and director of Fenix Teatro; Marcus Shelton, an engineer who works for a major communications company; Diallo Anderson, a Mullen High School student who is a popular disk jockey; and Cisco Gallardo, a former gang member who works as a counselor for Metro Denver Gang Coalition.
In a gang for five years, Gallardo suffered a gunshot wound and was facing 48 years in prison if convicted on drug charges. A plea bargain gave him a chance to change his life — which he did.
"I spent two and half years in a halfway house," Gallardo said, adding that during that time, he went to school. "I liked school. I liked college. I started caring about my community. That saved me."
The panelists encouraged the youth to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
"When you make choices that aren't healthy for yourself, it can damage your spirit," Medina said. "It holds you back from being what you can be. Drugs and alcohol don't make you a better person or help you get where you want to go. They slow you down."
Gallardo told the youth that experimenting with drugs just once can be too much.
Referring to the recent death of a 16-year-old Superior girl, Gallardo said, "Did you see that girl? She died, one time doing Ecstasy."
"Don't be a follower, be a leader," Anderson said.
Shelton urged the boys to develop their spiritual lives.
"You gotta pray," he said. "Not just when you want something. Have a personal relationship with God."
The boys, from Guardian Angels, Annunciation, St. Francis de Sales, Presentation of Our Lady and St. Rose of Lima schools also saw a skit performed by Fenix Teatro that highlighted the pressures teens face when dating. They also took part in prayer services and workshops on leadership, conflict resolution, spirituality and service, and sexuality.
"Today was an opportunity for the boys to get a different perspective on what it means to be a real man," said Pat Buckley, eighth grade teacher at Annunciation. "It's a different perspective than what's promoted in the majority of society and the media."
Jacob Hernandez, an eighth grader at Guardian Angels said he learned how to say "No" to negative pressure and about the importance of "being your own person."
His classmate Benito Lopez said he made new friends at the event.
"It was cool," he said. "Not like anything I've ever done before. I liked it."
