Students Have Their Say...

"When you were talking today, I thought you were talking straight to me. I want to do want you are doing for a living. I have always felt bad for people who were the 'losers' in life and now I have a mission not to just feel bad for them but to do something about it."
- Steve 12th

"I liked listening to you because you made us laugh and think about how mean we are to people some times. Our halls were totally quiet when we left the talk. You changed many of the kids and how they will think before they treat someone badly."
- John, 10th

"You helped us all see that we can change the way we act and treat people with kindness and not cruelty. Thank you for talking the time to speak to us."
- Mary, 7th grade

"You have turned me into a person who will stand up for loners."
- Fhalyshia 6th

"I told my boyfriend that I was not going to have sex with him Saturday night. We were planning on it for over a month, then you came to our school. I know it's not merely a coincidence and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the guts to say the things you say with the feelings with which you say them."
- Mandy 10th

"Thanks for all the laughs. I learned it's not nice to hurt people's feelings."
- Alan 4th

"I'm going to try not to be a bully to anybody or get into trouble. Did you know that you are my favorite author of all. I like your jokes. They made me laugh so hard."
- Makenna 4th

"You are really nice and you are nice to everyone you see. I fell better and better. I am thumbody special."
- Zak 5th

"Before I get into trouble I will tell myself everything you told us in the assembly. Thanks for the good words."
- Morgan 4th

"We learned so much and we really appreciate you sharing your wisdom on life with us. I plan on incorporating the ideas in my classroom."
- Mrs. Mrozek 4th grade teacher

"You were hilarious! Everybody laughed. My mom bought me Chicken Noodle Soup for the teenage girl's soul or something like that but she didn't even mean to. She thought it said Chicken Noodle Soup for the Kid's soul but how could she mistake the teenage girl's soul and Chicken Noodle Soup for the Kid's soul. (I guess she didn't use her noodle correctly!)"
- Haly 5th

"After your talk, I went into the bathroom and through out all of my chew. Your stories, especially the one about the girl with leukemia gave me the courage and inner fortitude to make some major changes in my life. You are not wasting your time."
- Harry 10th

"Because of your talk today I went home and told my mom how much I love her. We haven't been getting along for quite a while. You gave me the strength to do it. Thank you."
- Larry 11th

I learned to go out of my way for other people even if it is hard on me. People really do matter."
- Bobby 8th

"Your talk really makes a difference in people's lives. Our school is a nicer place and everyone can feel it."
- Susan 9th

"Before when someone was made fun of I would stand by and not become part of the problem, sometimes I would help the person being made fun of but not frequently. Now after your speech and examples I see this problem with a different view. Instead of sitting on the sidelines I will actually do something about it."
- Jacob 6th

Three of us girls came up and thanked you after your talk and instead of just saying thanks you seemed to be able to look into our eyes and lives and you challenged us to look for a girl who walks alone and eats alone and to make a difference in her life. We are going to do that but I just wanted to say thanks for not just giving us a canned speech but you live out your message."
- Julie 12th

"I'm considered one of the 'popular' 8th grade girls, and usually I watch kids eat alone or get made fun of, not doing anything because I thought it would ruin my 'popular' appearance. But after I heard you talk, I realized that it's not about whether or not you're popular, its about standing up for what you think is right."
- Shelby 8th

"I was mentally and emotionally moved by your speech. I learned that I can make a difference just by having the courage to stand up for someone who has no friends. I now help people when they drop their things or get made fun of."
- Chandila 7th

"I will be the one who goes through the halls looking for books that have dropped or students who are crying out in their silence. You inspired me. Thank you so much."
- Bill 11th

"I used to be embarrassed to do the right thing. Now I don't care what I look like as long as I'm myself. My mom died last year. I guess you really don't know what you have till it's gone. I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you but thank you for giving me confidence."
- Scott 6th

"I'm going to get my friends together and we are going to dedicate ourselves to help at least one person each and every week."
- Madi 7th

"You opened my eyes to see that I am part of the problem. I want to thank you so much."
- Michael 6th

"I use to compare myself with the popular people. When I realized that people can be so cruel I took a stand. I walked up to the bullies and told them to back off. They wanted to fight and all I did was walk away. Those kids never made fun of that girl again."
- DeAnna, 7th

"The last thing I took away from your speech was that if you are blessed with something, share that with someone who is not so lucky. I am enrolled in a tutoring program, and I hope to help someone who is struggling to read."
- Shelby 8th

"Thanks to you and your speech, which I thought would be a total waist of time, I have decided to remain a virgin until I get married. I don't know if I can do it but you have at least given me the courage to not be ashamed of my beliefs and give it an honest try."
- Sam 12th

"After your speech I went and sat with this one kid. He sitting all alone looking around probably thinking, "What's so different about me? Why am I sitting in a black hole every day all by myself? You know what, I was thinking the same thing about him. Why should he be left out in the rain? Yeh, he looks different. He acts different. He is different. There was just something inside him that was being hidden. I know what that one thing was. It was loneliness. One thing I learned that day was you may look different, act different. But inside you are just the same as everybody else but much much nicer. In conclusion, you were such an inspiration to me."
- Katie 7th

"After your talk me and my friends started being nice to this boy and now people are taking after us and now he has tons of friends. How cool."
- Alyssa 8th

"As I heard you speech. I thought, "Those heroes are my heroes too. I would not want to laugh with my friend because I am not a leader, I am a follower. But I would like to be a leader. I won't ever stare at someone if the get sick and have to leave class. You helped me change something inside me."
- Yuko 6th

You were sooooooooooo funny. I almost laughed my eyes out. I 'M' thumb body special!"
- Billy 3rd

"Your speech was an inspiration to me. After your talk I was with my wonderful friends and there was a boy sitting all alone. We went over and asked him if he wanted to sit with us. He says no, and I was so confused. I mean here I am standing there and asking him to sit with me. But I kind of get it. He doesn't want sympathy. He wants a friend, a real friend to talk to and to laugh with. And here I am, trying to make myself have a better conscience by asking him so sit with us. I remember you telling us how we're in it for our own interest. You helped me be a better person. You'll never know how much influence you have had on my life."
- Sophie 7th

"Your talk got everyone to thinking in the eight grade. People's attitudes changed, you could really tell. We all started thinking before we said things from that day on. I think you should keep on telling your stories. They change people."
- Kelsi 7th

"Your presentation inspired me. You talked like you really understand what we children are doing to each other. I don't like to gossip because it hurts me and the one being talked about. I get upset when my friends ignore me, it's a sad and horrible feeling. You have helped me face my fears and admit I am scared about going to high school."
- Kristy 8th

"I loved your stories, they touched my heart and now I realize how much I take life for granted. Now I will appreciate my friends, my family, and the kindness people show me. I will also be on the look out for people who are struggling."
- Rebecca 8th

"You taught me to say NEVER instead of NO when it comes to drugs and lying and other bad stuff."
- Jim 4th

"I freaked my mom out like you said. She asked me how my day was and I smiled and said "Better And Better". It really got her. She even went back and listened to you at night and bought me one of your books."
- Sarah 5th