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Posted on Mon, Oct. 05, 2009

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Boys can look up to Teen Heroes

BY courtney looney

The Wichita Eagle

Some people may think today's youth don't have enough direction for the future.

The organization Real Men, Real Heroes, a mentoring group working with at-risk youth, was founded in 2007 to combat that notion. The group has branched out to influence more of today's youth through the newly established Teen Heroes program.

"Last year, we visited over 25 schools, logged over 85 hours and gave presentations to over 4,000 students," said Buddy Shannon, a Real Men, Real Heroes board member. "As a result of that success, we decided to launch Teen Heroes."

Each Hero goes through an extensive application process during their junior year of high school, committing to serve their senior year in the program.

"These young men will serve as role models to elementary school boys grades third through eighth, by doing some of the same volunteer services that we provide," Shannon said.

After completing the application, which includes letters of recommendation, an essay, committing to a secondary education or vocational school after high school and meeting grade requirements, 10 boys are Teen Heroes.

"We have so many different ethnicities a part of this group," Shannon said. "We wanted to showcase young men that would counter the stereotypes of young people."

Tutoring bimonthly at Atwater City Hall, doing a radio show at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings on 93.9 FM and working at various speaking engagements top the list of activities the boys are involved in.

Shannon said Real Men, Real Heroes hopes to create a celebrity sort of atmosphere for the elementary boys who will meet the Teen Heroes.

Hero trading cards were created when the program started in 2007 as a keepsake for the boys being mentored. Real Men, Real Heroes carried the concept over to Teen Heroes.

The cards, which will be distributed to the elementary boys in a few weeks, will include each teen's picture and biographical information.

"We found that when we had our issue of Hero cards, it really made a huge impact on them," Shannon said. "The younger boys treated the cards as though we were sports celebrities."

The ultimate goal of the project is to create role models and a mentoring system for the elementary boys, Shannon said.

"From this program, the elementary boys can realize that it's OK to make grades," he said.

Boys interested in becoming a Teen Hero can apply online at www.realheroeswichita.org. Applicants must be a junior in high school.

"These boys have to be willing to stand up in front of youth and tell their story, but they don't have to be the 'popular one' or 'the athlete.' All they need to be are kids that are good role models," Shannon said.