Emails From Youth

Dear Bob,

    My name is Anna from Cedar Cliff High School and I just wanted to tell you that your performance and speech today was just magnificent. The way you expressed your feelings of what is truly right and what you believe in. Today in class after our assembly with you, in my JROTC class we talked about what you said,"to Never Quit, Stand Alone, Respect your Elders in many ways and don't believe in Commercials". To never quit is to never give up on yourself or another person, Stand Alone is to believe in what you believe in, Respecting of others is to not lie, cheat, steal, make fun, and basically treat others as you would want to be treated, Don't believe in Commercials because there are always consequences to shortcuts, meaning for example drinking is a shortcut from pain, or fun in some peoples terms, but is not fun when you face that consequence. I am just trying to tell you that I understood completely why you came to my school today. If there is one thing I can tell about you is that you have a very big heart and a wonderful understanding of life.

    Thank you,
     Anna

I am a student at Red Land Highschool. Although our school was pretty rude when the students weren't paying attention, I wanted to let you know that you did indeed get your point across. It really grasped my attention. Some of the things you say seem like such common sense to people, but when you spoke to our school, your message really struck me in the heart. When you first started speaking to us about suicide, I was feeling sad because a friend of mine killed himself. I didn't know whether to feel sad or angry, so I felt both. I hate quitters. A family friend also killed himself. It is hard to deal with the stress of knowing that people give up like that. After going through that, whenever I hear someone make a joke, or maybe even sound slightly seriously when they say, "I'm going to kill myself". It really hurts. Even when they joke, it really hurts because it makes me wonder if they would really do that or not. Also, you did a wonderful job of getting your point across with drugs and alcohol. I know a lot of students at my school drink and have "fun", but honestly, I never tried it, never will, and hearing you speak sent a powerful message that contributes to me not wanting to ever try drugs or alcohol. Like I said, although many of the things you spoke to us about seem like such common sense to most people, you sent the message in such a powerful way that gave more meaning than any teacher could, especially when you spoke about the mother with a beer bottle of her son's ashes. You're speech was over-powering, and I wanted to tell you to keep up the good work, and I believe that what you are doing is truly amazing and helpful to teens.

Very cool way to present your message. It captures the audience's attention while teaching them. I'm sorry about the people who were rude. I wish I could play volleyball everyday like you.

Dear Mr. Holmes,
Thank you again for coming to our school and performing. It was really amazing, as well as heart-renching. Last year a dear friend and yearmate took his life on Valentines day. It was truly a crushing blow to all of the sophomore class, and when you talked about not giving up and to keep going, I saw people cry. I just wish that my friend could have been there to listen, but at least we have the message. Thank you so much for your truth that drives home the real facts of life to people. Keep spreading the word!
And Remember, It's not mean, it's honest! :D
~Red Land High School Junior

Hello, I am an ninth grader at Cedar Cliff High School which you just visited today. First of all I would like to thank you for coming. I have had a lot of assembly's over the years, and yours was by far the most enjoyable and powerful one. You are an amazing volleyball player, and I could really tell that you believe in what you are doing more than many people can probably imagine. Keep going! You are truely and inspiration to everyone! I really appreciated that you also spoke about suicide. My cousin hung himself when I was 6 years old. I don't remember him all that much because of how young I was when he was alive, but I will never forget the night that my uncle called to bring us the bad news. The effects of what he did will always be a part of my family and all of our lives. I never want another person to have to go through what my family and I went through because my cousin didn't believe that he had a way out. I guess that the people who do this have never known anyone personally who has done this or else they would understand what a devastating scare it leaves behind on the people who love you. My aunt never sees anyone in the familiy sense then. This was hard and had been going on until two weeks ago when her and my uncle through a 40th birthday party for their daughter. It was the most amazing night ever! Just the fact that she showed up and had the guts to come was amazing. We cried a lot, but it was mostly out of joy that we were all together again. It made me realize that there is hope even after this has happened and that we can all over come anything that is put in front of us. Thank you so much for your speech! It really moved me and has changed my life forever! Your speech will change lives and save lives for as long as you keep on going. I just wanted to let you know that I support you and everything that you do! I am so proud of you and everything that you have done! Thank you so much for everything. You gave us an assembly that we will never forget. It was both entertaining and life chan ging. Thank you so much!

Sorry about our school today, there are a lot of defiant students. Thank you for coming to talk with us and for amazing us with your skills! I hope your words sunk in to everyone else. It's very serious thing, suicide. I myself had problems with cutting myself. I'm happy to say that I have stopped and am back to my happy self. There were many times that I thought about killing myself. I would write in my journal to release the heat. It really helped. So, thanks again for your time and inspiration.
Sincerely,
Red Land High School Student
10th grade

Thanks for coming to our school today at Red Land High School. I liked the show and your speaking was very strong and hit home. Last year one of my friends commited suicide and it was hard thinking about that today but im glad your doing what you do to show people how much life really dose matter. Thanks so much for keeping your cause going.

Thanks once again

Jake

hello there!!
I'm Tori and you came to Cedar Cliff High School today.   Well I just wanted to tell you that what you're doing is great. You are definitly the best motivational speaker I have ever heard!! And i also wanted to command you for talking about about Jesus Christ in public school, no one has the guts to even mention that name unless they are swearing, and it is very sad. You inspire to push the limits and I really enjoyed your message.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
                                                                                                                 GOD BLESS,
                                                                                                                    Tori Tiller

I am writing to you because i wanted to tell you that you are a very good hearted man and you family should be very proud!! when you first started to talk about what happens when you drink an drive brought back memories about one of my friends and how he was never given a second chance....i just wanted to tell you how much i appreciate what you are doing
Thank You for visiting,
Cedar Cliff student

Mr. Holmes, October 9, 2007
Hello, my name is Brooke . I am a senior at Red Land High School and just attended your assembly today. I would just like to say that I really liked the message that you brought to our school. I was also really glad that you gave your presentation when you did. I am happy to say that I have never lost a friend or someone I knew to drinking and driving, but that's not to say that it could never happen. I think it's great how you are spreading your message. I think all the students liked watching you on the gym floor, but also really appreciated the message that you sent out to all of us, it was really "food for thought." I do not think that anyone really thinks of the consequences of their actions before they act and maybe just maybe they will remember the wonderful presentation you gave to them today at school. Thank you so very much and wonderful job! Never stop doing what you are doing!

Sincerely,
Brooke

Bob

I am a teacher at Red Land and a past graduate of 1989. I want to apologize for the tough time you had talking over our conversations. The message was awesome and the games were entertaining.

Thanks for putting your heart out there.

Clay

Hi Bob,

I am a teacher at Cedar Cliff and want to thank you for the message you gave to the students here today. They can hear it from parents, they can hear it from teachers, but you certainly had a way of getting the message across that is very much appreciated!

God Bless You!

Carol