Thank you so much for helping to organize a really important message. Prom was the next day, and it was one of the best proms we have ever had since I have been here. I think the message the day before contributed to that and made students consider options and choices that they could or should make. We heard students talking about the message, so they were definitely paying attention.

I enjoyed the presentation because the words that Steve was saying were really meaningful and truthful because he was being honest about the true consequences of drinking and driving. I would suggest that somebody would see this presentation because it had a big impact because of the story, How truthful and meaningful the presentation was, and the overall lesson about drinking and driving. I Suggest glenholme gets a guest speaker who is someone different to discuss a new topic which would be about D.A.R.E. 1 can relate to the story that steve empt was telling because when my sister was in south Dakota she crashed and flipped atv off a big
hill and got seriously hurt.

I am sorry that this email is late, but I wanted to reach out and thank everyone for their contributions to our pre-prom safe driving event. I know it was a lot to take out of your already busy days, but I think it made a huge impact on the kids, and in the end, gave them the information to make safe choices.

I don’t think we always get to see the impact of what we do, but the fact that all our kids had a fun night, and made it home safely, is in large part because of all of you. I look forward to making this a yearly tradition, and hope you can join us next year. Thank you again for keeping our kids safe, and for making Nonnewaug a great place to be.

Thank you for taking the time to come out to our school and share your story. I took away so many things from the presentation, specifically empoweriment!

I absolutely loved it and it made me think very deeply about the choices I make.

I just want to thank you and everyone involved in this program. Our students had such a powerful experience this morning. We are so thankful to have offered this program to our students.

I just wanted to reach out and thank you and your wonderful team again for coming to Mount View High School and speaking to our students and staff about safe driving practices in your Choices Matter presentation. I was grateful for the time we had together and really appreciate your ability to not only educate but engage and empathize through your difficult experience with others.

Warm regards,

I just wanted to say thank you for coming to my son’s school to speak.

He has not stopped talking about it and how cool it was to meet you. I believe you made an impact on his life and he will be safer for it!

Good morning!

We absolutely loved Choices Matter and Cara as well! Her story and the activities definitely had an impact on our students. Personally, I also loved how easy it was to work with everyone – I could not be happier with it all!

One thing teachers talked about is that none of it came across as “preachy.” Students are told all the time to make better choices, but it usually stops there. With Choices Matter and Cara’s presentation, it wasn’t like that – she gave scenarios, alternate decisions, and a personal story that put things into perspective, followed by the student experiences with the Goggles, VR, etc. I believe that’s what made it stand out vs. other experiences.

Thank you so much! The Choices Matter program was fantastic. Cara Filler was a wonderful, engaging, and motivating speaker.
God Bless,

I thought that the presentation did a very good job of highlighting the effects that your choices can have on others. Even if you think something will only impact you, you need to consider the broader scale and all of the possible scenarios to see whether or not it is truly a good idea.

Dear Mr. Cleaves,

I just wanted to let you know how much you sharing your story and talking with our students means to me. I graduated from this school and during my freshman year of college I lost my best friend in a car accident. I think this is one of the reasons that I decided to become a teacher. So I could make a difference in my students’ lives and explain to them the importance of vigilance while driving. Sharing your story here is extremely important, and it is inspiring me to be a better man and teacher.

Thank you for coming to visit us.

Best,

Thank you so much for going to our school and telling us your story. I love how you’re still positive even after everything that has happened. You have such good advice for everything. Not everyone has neough courage to tell their story to people. So, I thought it was cool that you did. You seem like such a funny person. You have a crazy story. But somehow you act like nothing ever happened. I love how even after you got paralyzed that didn’t stop you from doing your dreams and what you love.

You are an amazing person.

Fletcher, thank you. You are like a ray of sunshine, shining through even the darkest times. I also envy how kind you are, not being mad at the lady? You’r ereally a great person. Thank you so so so much. You’re also really funny, as well as a good human being. I bet a lot of people were inspired, like me! Thank you for your wisdom!

Chris absolutely hit it out of the park! He successfully navigated between being passionate about his message without either glamorizing his past or in any way being condescending or disrespectful to his audience. We’re a small, ultra-conservative school so “outside” speakers do not easily win over the trust of our students. Chris did.

Just wanted to let you know Karen was a huge hit here at CHS.

Thanks so much for working to get her here.

“Fletcher captured the minds and hearts of the audience with his story while renewing hope and faith to reach beyond the sky. His message was powerful and his gift is full of passion.  Fletcher is a must-see presentation!”

Incredibly grateful and inspired after spending some time with Paralympian, Author, Coach, Teacher, and Incredible Human, Steve Emt.

There has been so much positive feedback from students! Our sophomore and junior classes participated in Choices Matter’s interactive and riveting presentation series. One student shared this message:

“Hi, Steve! I am one of the kids from the school you were at today and I just wanted to thank you for your time. Your perspective is very inspirational, especially with the things I’ve been going through–I really needed that. You’re such a strong individual and I appreciate people like you who are willing to go above and beyond for others; some people in this building probably really needed this today. Your story is beautiful despite the battle; thank you again.”

“You finally conveyed to me and all of my peers why driving safely is so important. You have become my inspiration to work through tough times and that my past doesn’t define me. I will likely think about you daily, reminding me that my choices matter. You are such a role model.”