Student Testimonials
- Students from Philomath Middle School, after an assembly/workshop presented by Vicki
- "Thank you for being a presenter at Philomath School's Career Day. I really enjoyed seeing you in front of the school and class. Seeing you say to never be discouraged by what other people say really hit home for me. I realized that I do take other people's criticism too seriously. I particularly enjoyed dressing up, trying to be someone else. It really made me think (and have fun). Thank you; it meant so much to me."
Sincerely, Sarah O.
"Thankyou for coming to our school for Career Day. I really liked your presentaation because you taught us to follow our dreams, and even though you may think somethings a little different, you shouldn't be afraid to try it. I liked the songwriting thing too, because I love music. I love singing, and I already have 4 songs that I worte the lyrics too, and I have the guitar piece for them! THANK YOU FOR THIS EXPERIENCE!
P.S. I will always be confident and follow my dreams ... THANK YOU!
P.S.S. The leadership dance was so much FUN!"
Sincerely, Jessie W.
"I would like to say, "Thank you for coming to our Career Day." It was nice of you to tell us about Public Speaking. You taught us to be brave and that it was okay to make fools of ourselves in front of people. We learned to listen to the voice that is telling us we can do it. The home court support is very helpful. You are a great woman and are very helpful to those who want to do Public Speaking. Thank you"
Sincerely, Bri F. - From a student in Kansas:
- Hello Vicki, this is Chris Morton, from Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas!
- I was just getting back to you on a personal note to let you know how much your seminar and training meant to me! I cannot begin to express to you how wonderful I have felt the last 4 days having been through that experience with you and my peers! Now I'm sure you've gotten many letters from people all across the country thanking you for everything you've done and how much you've changed their life...well just tack another one up there on that bulletin board you keep them on!
I never had a chance to tell you this when we were in training or during the retreat, but that story you read about the young man in 9th grade, the one who was going to commit suicide, well in 7th grade, that was me! I was literally a month away from ending my life and taking the easy way out midway through my 7th grade year of Middle School. That is why I butchered it so badly when I did the "This is Your Life" skit, (I'm working on that one though!). I had this best friend all through pre-school and then up through elementary school as well. Then about 4th grade, his parents got a divorce and his mother kicked his father out of the house. That really screwed him up, and he began taking it all out on me. I see this now, but back then, I only thought that I was a worthless kid. I took this abuse for 2 long years.
- I was tired of running home to my mother and crying in her arms and I hated listening to her talk to my father at night about how to handle it. I was afraid I was creating too much of a problem for everyone and figured that if I wasn't around any longer, it wouldn't hurt anyone. Then, like in that story, a friend came along and saved me. In this case, it was AJ Toloza, he too was in the seminar, one of my greatest friends, we did the singing skit together. AJ came along and accepted me, the first years were rough, but we had a blast together. In the summer, we'd go to the pool and look at the girls in their swimsuits. As we aged into high school, AJ became a ladies man and somewhat ventured away. By then however, I had plenty of other people to hang out with. AJ and I always got back together when the girl didn't last though.
The reason I told you this story Vicki, was to let you know how much you helped some of those kids out there. If I hadn't AJ come along, I don't even want to think about where I would be! For those of us out there that don't have that friend who comes along to save them, I pray that you see them first! You opened my eyes to the past I'd forgot, and you opened so many more who are living in my past! Thank you from the bottom of my heart Vicki! God Bless You wherever you go!
Love forever, Chris - P.S. If that cool computer that talks to you is reading this aloud, "TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER" I bet you thought that would sound cool in a computer voice!
From student:
|
 |
 |
From Monica Buehler's 3rd Grade Class, Taft Elementary, Lincoln City, OR (3 of 16 entries):
When I See Vicki . . .
"I know I am going to have fun. We might be singing a song about sentence structure or acting out punctuation. I know I will learn something new and I know I will have fun doing it. She walks into our room and instead of seeing us clearly, she sees us in our voices, our expressions, our laughter, our words, our hopes, and our fears. She knows us better than most people we know. Thank you, Vicki, for all you have taught to us. We love you!"— Monica Buehler
"When I see Vicki, I see dark hair, twinkling, mischievous eyes, and a big smile. I see silly hats, and funny puppets. I see a big green suitcase with a yellow V. I see and hear a watch that speaks to her. I see enthusiasm and zest for life because according to her, life is too short and too precious to be ordinary. I feel excited and happy when Vicki is here because the thing that I hope happens is that she is our substitute teacher." —Yessica
"When I see Vicki, I see black hair, like the black of space, and my muse wakes up, like a tiger on an antelope. Then I see a big bag full of surprises and it makes me feel like I'm in a black hole full of my imagination. I think when she comes to our class, she feels like she's going to another planet that is out of this galaxy." —Logan
|
|