Penn Manor townlively.com
DECEMBER 13, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 33
Empowering kids to become champions BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
C
hildren who compete in sports or similar programs are often faced with myriad challenges. Young athletes must make time for after-school practices, dedicate their weekends to competitions and train at home. On top of this, many kids face the additional challenge of overcoming the anxiety that accompanies a big game. Carter Mealy, a 9-year-old student at Central Manor Elementary School, teamed up with his father, Todd, to publish a book with the goal of teaching kids how to be confident athletes and conquer stress like a champion. Carter participates in a variety of sports year-round, including soccer, gymnastics, lacrosse and basketball. During practices, Todd noticed Carter was experiencing problems with anxiety that would arise when older kids were around; Carter worried what the more experienced athletes would think of him, and he was often concerned his performance wouldn’t be adequate. Todd, who is a published
author, was inspired to write a story that would empower kids like Carter who sometimes doubt their abilities. Todd suggested the idea to Carter, who immediately agreed to help, and the pair got to work. During the process of writing the book, Todd would draft a few pages and take them to Carter to review. Todd has gained experience as both a football coach and an athlete, but he relied on the perspective Carter was able to provide as his editor. Although Todd is a seasoned author, having written multiple books, this was his first foray into the world of children’s literature. “I figured I’d need his help trying to write a story for 7- and 8-year-olds,” Todd said. “Carter was my inspiration, but his job was also to edit me and make sure we were speaking to that audience.” Todd and Carter’s collaboration resulted in “Like a Champion,” a 32-page book that was published on Nov. 10. The book teaches young children how to deal with their performance anxiety and equips their parents, teachers and
A focus on prayer
Program will offer mental health resources
Tim Farrell, one of the leaders of the Lancaster Prayer Breakfast, which was held for the second year on Nov. 3, said that when the committee organized under the Leaders of Faith Foundation, the goal was to make the event unique, with prayer as the key component. The group decided to focus on six areas - business, government, art/ media, education, family, and church - and ask a community leader to lead prayer on each of
those segments. Each speaker asked table groups to pray on a subject and then concluded by leading the gathering of more than 400 in prayer. Master of ceremonies Tracey C. Jones, president of Tremendous Leadership and T3 Solutions, opened the event, saying, “The Lancaster Prayer Breakfast endeavors to further the rich heritage and spiritual guidance handed down by the Founding Fathers … and magnify Jesus Christ through unified prayers.” Worship music was provided by
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
Registration is now open for the Living Grace program, which will commence on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Millersville Community Church, 163 W. Frederick St., Millersville. Over a 10-week period, participants will gather at the church every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss mental health topics such as stress, anxiety and depression through a faithbased lens. Living Grace is a free
See Prayer breakfast pg 2
program that was introduced to the church by Kelly Dennis, a member of the congregation and a mental health professional. The program utilizes a curriculum provided by The Grace Alliance, a nonprofit organization that seeks to use Scripture to equip individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Dennis will facilitate each Living Grace meeting as group members discuss a specific topic and complete exercises from The Living Grace will include a curriculum that combines Scripture and neuroscience Grace Alliance workbook. research to aid its participants with their See Living Grace pg 5 struggles with mental health.
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Second Lancaster breakfast held BY ANN MEAD ASH
coaches with a way to help them. The book tells the tale of a sloth named Champion who lacks the confidence to become an expert gymnast, and he struggles with anxiety when others see him practice. By focusing on his own improvement and developing confidence with the help of his coach, Champion learns how to conquer his fears. “Like a Champion” also includes various questions that align with Common Core curricula for teachers to use in their classrooms. Carter said he enjoyed getting to see how a book is made, and he is already tossing around ideas for a sequel. “I would like to see if we can make a series out of Champion,” said Carter. “I would like to write a children’s book about Muhammad Ali’s camp, Fighter’s Heaven. Maybe it will be a story about Champion visiting Fighter’s Heaven.” “Like a Champion” is available online from retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For more information about Todd and his other published Todd Mealy (left) and his son, Carter, published a book to help young athletes overcome anxiety. work, visit www.toddmealy.com.