By KEVIN CHIRI

Editor and Publisher

LAPLACE – Deronte Smith has a simple message for students.

&#8220Stay focused, no matter what pressures come your way,” he said.

The Atlanta, Ga. author was the guest speaker at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary this week as a culmination to Black History Month, telling his personal story and trying to offer some words of wisdom for young people who face a supreme challenge in this day and age.

&#8220It’s really hard for young kids today,” he said before taking the stage. &#8220There are so many pressures. But speaking from my own experience, it’s a matter of just staying focused, and not letting all those things distract you from what you know you want to do.”

Smith grew up in Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in English and Psychology.

He says he faced the same challenges of other kids through his school years, but maintained an ‘A’ average for most of that time. The reason?

&#8220My mother was strong for me and was always making me stay on track with my education. And the church helped too, but honestly it was my mother’s influence that was the difference,” he said.

Smith believes that there is a lack of strong parental involvement today, with many parents wanting to put the blame elsewhere for their kids getting involved in problems.

&#8220No matter what all the things are that are distracting kids now, and trying to get them into trouble, the parents are still the key,” he said. &#8220It all still starts at home.”

Smith has authored a book entitled &#8220The Fantastical Adventures of Sleepy Steve,” about a young man who also faces challenges, but overcomes them in the end.

Smith is a motivational speaker to school-age children as well as at colleges, and had his first book published in 2005. He plans to make it a seven book series.

For more information about Smith and his book, go to sleepysteve.com.