Cpl. Fleenor provides a K9 demonstration for the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Youth Group
Lexington Park, MD— On November 19, 2016, in response to an invitation, two representatives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office spoke to members of E.M.P.O.W.E.R. about law enforcement interactions, life decisions, and leadership. E.M.P.O.W.E.R., which stands for Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence, is a division of the Tri-County Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The young men and volunteers of E.M.P.O.W.E.R invited Capt. Steven Hall and Cpl. Todd Fleenor (K9) to speak as part of their mission of building a better community. After speaking, Capt. Steven Hall and Cpl. Todd Fleenor (K9) concluded the event at the Lexington Park Library with an educational K9 demonstration.
In his talk, Capt. Hall highlighted the importance of self-image to the young men, stating, “One of the most important things in life is your self-image. Always carry yourselves proudly with a positive self-image, and others will follow suit. Your truest friends and those who love you most will nourish this and help you along life’s path to success. Steer clear of those who entice you to do things that hurt your self-image or lessen your self-worth.”
Capt. Hall also discussed what he calls the “D principle” – Decisions Determine your Destiny. This principle encourages young people to understand that every decision they make plays a role in determining their ultimate destiny. Capt. Hall recommended that the young men choose positive role models to help guide them in selecting goals for their own lives.
Capt. Hall further encouraged the group to reflect on an additional “D”, which stands for “Documents”. He explained, “Everything you [young men] do, everything you’ve done, is documented, including your educational performance, your driving record, criminal history, your credit, and your social media accounts – they all document who you are as a person. People that make decisions that can influence your success in life pay very close attention to this. Make sure your ‘documents’ portray you in a positive light and ensure a bright and prosperous future for yourselves.”
In turn, Cpl. Fleenor stressed the importance of education, both in school and out. He explained, “Just because you finish with school doesn’t mean you stop learning. You will continue to learn and grow throughout your life and your future careers.”
Cpl. Fleenor then illustrated the impact of determination on success through a demonstration with K9 Largo, a drug-detecting and patrol dog for the Sheriff’s Office. Cpl. Fleenor stated that “K9 Largo knows that if he is successful in his job, and is determined to do a good job, he will be rewarded. The same goes for you – if you are determined to have a successful life, you’ll do everything you can to get there, just like Largo.”
The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office thanks the E.M.P.O.W.E.R. group for their invitation and for demonstrating powerful leadership roles for the youth in our community.
