Speaker out to help Martin County adults and kids make sense of life

By Kelly Tyko
Stuart News staff writer
November 13, 2005

[Reproduced with permission of Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers]

STUART — To get his inspiration and motivation, Paul Vitale went to the best.

The Arkansas resident penned hundreds of letters, some to Olympic athletes, CEOs of major companies, actors such as George Clooney and, of course, Donald Trump.

This week, Vitale will pass on what he learned from his mentors to Martin County students and community members. The motivational speaker and author will share his expertise in six speeches sponsored by Character Counts! and other local organizations.

"Paul will share an important message with as many people in our community that he can reach," said Terri May, director of the character education United Way program.

Vitale will visit all four public middle schools and the Stuart branch of the Boys & Girls Club and prompt the community at a free event Tuesday at the Lyric Theatre.

When Vitale addresses the students, he'll talk about life dreams and goals. His speech is based on his first book, "Are You Puzzled by the Puzzle of Life?" and will discuss "the roadmap for making sense of this life puzzle."

"We'll talk a lot about chasing dreams," he said. "I'm a big dream chaser and I believe that these young people are in the situation ... where we can go out and chase our dreams and try to aspire to what we want to become."

Another big topic is making choices.

"I'll explain to the students the importance of making very good, sound choices and that they have the power to make their own choices throughout their own lifetime," he said.

Those choices include whether students use drugs and alcohol, a constant worry among Martin officials.

Local middle school students self-reported that 21.4 percent drank alcohol at least once in the 30 days before taking the 2004 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey.

"We hope our middle school youth will recognize the many choices they have in life and that they have the power to influence themselves and others in a positive way," said Robyn Vanover, coordinator of Safe and Drug Free Schools.

Vitale will change gears when he speaks at the free community event "A Hero Within." There the audience will be challenged to find the hero within themselves and about the building blocks children need to succeed.

May hopes Vitale motivates the community, students and adults alike. "I want them to be inspired to the point that they really carry his message with them when they're faced with tough choices," she said.

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If you go

WHAT: "A Hero Within," a community and family-friendly event.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday.

WHERE: Lyric Theatre, 59 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart.

ADMISSION: Free

SPONSORS: Character Counts!, Shared Services Network, the Children's Services Council, Safe & Drug Free Schools, Martin County Interagency Coalition, 21st Century Grant and the Lyric Theatre.

CONTACT: (772) 283-4800

Roadmap for students

When Paul Vitale talks at Martin County's four middle schools and the Stuart branch of the Boys & Girls Club, he'll talk about life dreams and goals. Based on his book, "Are You Puzzled by the Puzzle of Life," Vitale will give students "the roadmap for making sense of this life puzzle." To solve the puzzle, Vitale advises:

• You can't finish unless you begin.
• Perception is a reality.
• All you have is your name.
• You only live once.

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