THE PYRAMID INSTITUTE, INC. PROGRAMS

"Who's Next...I am" Program | Bricks to Pyramid Program | The Paying Forward Community Service initiative

Bricks to Pyramid Program

It is the concept of The Bricks To Pyramids Program that young men in the freshman range in high school who are theoretically at risk, yet want to improve their communication skills, should be given a supplemental forum within which to work on improving in the area of language arts. It is the corporate mantra of The Pyramid Institute, Incorporated “to enhance, excel, and expose.” The participants will enhance their understanding of successful manhood through reading about historically and contemporarily successful men. They will excel as writers and oral communicators through intensive writing exercises and oral presentations for a 42-week period of time. Finally, every week these students will have an opportunity to visit with and be exposed to successful men, to gain an understanding of their challenges, habits, and views. This dialogue will be insightful and inspiring to these young men, who in some instances may otherwise never have such conversations on a consistent basis.

Weekly Seminar
    1. A critical thought component that is grounded in an approximately 25-page reading assignment. These reading assignments will be age appropriate and will be compiled loosely on a historical timeline, allowing room for flexibility to discuss contemporary relevant issues that may arise. The focus of the reading will largely be about the role of historically significant men both in family and societal life. The fundamental idea behind this aspect of the seminar is to enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of the lives, education, hardships, philosophies, and achievements of successful men who presumably will be a source of example, inspiration, and intrigue to the students.

    2. A communication component (written/oral) topically related to the reading, which will predominantly be a writing exercise of no more than 5 pages is the second weekly feature. Young people who are unable to communicate effectively will face compounded challenges for the rest of their lives. This component will assist the participants by promoting excellence in language arts, writing, and oral presentation. This feature will likewise deal with the construction and mechanics of the written project, as well as research and interest generation both for the preparer and the reader. Participants will be required to periodically make oral presentations, both as individuals and in group participation efforts.

    3. A dialogue feature will expose the students to responsible and successful men for a discussion. During the preceding week in preparation for the visitor(s), each student will be required to prepare one question for the guest or panel of guests, with the assistance of a guest profile. These responsible and successful male guests will range from tradespersons, semi-skilled and skilled, to professionals. The common denominator of all of the guests will be success both in their private as well as their occupational lives, and a willingness to share life lessons about the road take to arrive at success. 4. 42 weeks of seminars, 6 of which will be summer sessions.
TIME AND LOCATION
    A 3-hour session once per week (typically Saturdays 10:00-1:00p.m.) at Gilmour Academy, 34001 Cedar Road, Gates Mills, Ohio 44040, with some periodic events during the 2010 summer at various locations. The actual start date has yet to be determined but will be in September, 2010.
TRANSPORTATION
    Transportation to Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio will be from, and returning to, a central location which has yet to be determined and will be decided based on convenience to the majority of participants.
DRESS CODE
    1. Mandatory shirt and tie (if an individual is unable to afford, Pyramid will provide).
    2. No sagging of pants.
    3. Proper business attire, without exception.