Dennis Begins It All and Now Leads It All

Big Brothers Big Sisters was expanding forty some years ago. They reached out across the ocean to Hawaii where they found this ten year old fellow in need. So Dennis became the First Little Brother in Hawaii (belated congratulations Dennis). But he wasn’t interested in being such a trendsetter. As Dennis says “I wasn’t too keen about having a Big Brother. Like most kids who lose their fathers, I was resentful of anyone trying to take his place.”

That’s right, Dennis was quiet but also rebellious and not very interested in meeting new people.  It seems he had grown up in Missouri until his parents divorced. His mother then moved them to Hawaii where they struggled in a single parent household. It was hard on his mother and hard on Dennis.  Even becoming the First Little in Hawaii didn’t help at first. 

But Dennis was matched with a most superb and outstanding Big, Henry. It turned out that they had lots in common. They both loved model airplanes. Next thing you know they’re building a whole airport full. Then off to the movies. All that building airplanes and screaming at the movie makes you hungry (even just thinking about it makes some of us hungry). So it was off to dessert. Every time!

They would go by the tennis courts at the University of Hawaii. You know what happened next ... Henry teaches Dennis how to play tennis. Not only do they get to run around and get some exercise, they have a great time. And then head off for more dessert. Good thing they were getting all that exercise playing tennis or they’d be getting pretty heavy with all those nice desserts.

But it all wasn’t as nice as model airplanes and dessert. Dennis struggled in school and wasn’t the least bit interested in college. Instead of accepting this, Henry talked to Dennis and showed him all the possibilities he could have and the bright future waiting for him. Big Brother Henry was a strong believer in education (as are all of us) and how a good education can help you lead a better life. Gradually he brought Dennis around. 

Little Brother Dennis joined the Air Force (he wasn’t so little anymore). We guess all those model airplanes made quite the impression on him. Henry had by then so instilled the value of a good education in Dennis that he took night classes while overseas (now that’s dedication). Not only that, he used the GI Bill to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in sociology and urban planning (thank you Uncle Sam).   How’s that for a Little who started out struggling in school?

By now you’re probably wondering about the title of this brilliant story. Such astute readers as yourselves certainly have noticed that Dennis begins it all by becoming the First Little in Hawaii. But where’s the leading it all come in? Well, as amazing as this sounds, over forty years after becoming the First Little, Dennis has become the leader. Dennis is Dennis Brown who now is President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu. How stupendous is that? Congratulations Dennis. You’re an inspiration to us all.