Recommendations

Student recommendations

"I've gotten depressed a lot lately and I don't know how not to let it consume me. But after what you said, I think I can find a way to get past my problems."

- Jessica

"I think that what you said here today makes a lot of sense and people should pay attention to what was said because that was how my father was killed by a drunk driver."

- Mary

"I would like to say that I really enjoyed this. It was so emotional and true. I have been through the same situation. I thought it would be cool to drink. And what I drunk was good. But the hangover I had the next day was pitiful. I never want to go through that again. I feel that God sent me this message because I honestly don’t want to end up hopeless."

- Melanie

"I've never done drugs before and your talk made me feel that is the right thing."

- Anonymous

"I show my love to my mom, giving her hugs and telling her I love her. But it made me think how I need to show this to my father also."

- Lee

"I felt guilty for treating my parents the way I do and I think this speech taught me something and now I'm going to be nicer to my family."

- Kristie

"Thank you for getting me to think about my parents. I can't remember the last time I gave them a hug and told them that I loved them. I was probably a kid."

- Roger

"It was a very powerful message and it changed the way I think about school."

- Roy

"...the most profound statement you made was that our lives are summed up in the dash on our epitaph. That really made me think about what is most important in my life. Thanks! "

- Anonymous

"My attitude has been really bad. I think you have helped me deal with that."

- Jonathon

"There are some students that are racist and I think it was great to have a black man say he loved us and to share himself to an auditorium full of white kids."

- Christian

"This talk we had today made me realize that our time on earth is precious and valuable. When he told the stories it made me stop and think. So, I came up with an answer, I don't want that for my life. I want to live my life to the fullest!!!"

- Tara

"Now I feel more positive in my outlook of life. I can turn to the memories of this program whenever I am faced with everyday life's problems."

- Kim

"...you inspire [me] to change some things in my life so I'm trying to change."

- James

"I learned that you can make a change in your life."

- Vance

"I really think it's great how you talked about being faithful to your wife."

- Sarah

"I became pregnant five months ago. I'm scared to have this child, but after your speech you gave me the courage to say and become the best mother I can be."

- Jessica

"I need to stop looking at pornography on the internet."

- Josh

"Because of drugs, alcohol, and an unplanned pregnancy when I was fifteen - yesterday I was suicidal. Today you may have saved my life. Thank you."

- Anonymous

"You don't know what your speech has done. It has changed me. I had lost hope in life, but now I have hope."

- Heather

"I also thought about commiting suicide. Now I realize I have a purpose in life."

- Anonymous

"My father is dead and I have attempted suicide. You raised my spirits."

- Anonymous

"I must honestly say that you were one of the best speakers we have had and definitely ten times better than the last one. Thank you for your time and concern."

- Mikiba

"We need more people like you to help coach and guide our youth."

- Floyd

“You were the most awesome speaker I’ve heard in awhile. I do not have a problem w/ drugs, alcohol, or sex, but pray for me anyway because high school pressures are hard.”

- Randy

“It made me cry and it made me think of doing even better in school.”

- Christina

“I needed you today! I feel better. To tell you the truth, I was going to go home and go to a party, but never mind. Please keep doing this.”

- Teri

“Thanks… This was the most inspiring thing I have ever heard. I know that this could help me through the hard times and I know to look up to you as a role model … I will try to turn in the right direction!”

- Amy

“Thank you for speaking to us today. You don’t know how badly I needed the inspiration you gave us today.”

- Katy

“That was so great. Thank you very much for coming! I thought that it was going to be like a regular, boring assembly, but it was so interesting!”

- Deanna