Letters from some of the kids—Parts of letters written by the kids in high school, and Jr. High after viewing the video 

Dear Shirley, I really appreciated you all coming to our school. You had a positive message and people are always trying to get me to do bad things.  You’re stories have inspired me to do the right thing, who knows, it might be someone I know next.  Keith

“It made me aware of how easy it is to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and I thank you for coming and telling your stories.  Amanda

Thank you for opening my eyes.  My mother and I discussed this after school and you made me realize how easy it is to be with the wrong crowd and get into trouble. You have a lot of courage to speak out like you do. Evelyn

Everything that you said hit home.  With both sides of the story I could never imagine having someone I loved being gone to prison. I think you reached a lot of the students today.  Bob

I loved the program and was so glad you came. You helped everyone here to think before they do things and I hope you come back because you really know how to get through to people. Christina

Thanks for making me think twice before I even think about doing the wrong things plus hanging around with the wrong crowd. I think you brought a message to everyone and I think your speech would get most of us off drugs.  Thanks Arnold

Thank you for the great video we’ve seen the last two days. In my opinion you are the bravest ladies I’ve ever seen because if it were my son in prison or my daughter that was killed, I don’t think I could go and talk to a bunch of students and talk about it. Thanks Jason

Yesterday your presentation caught my attention. At first I was just glad to get out of class, but then it caught my attention. Your program made me think about some of the choices I will make in the future. I know a little about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’ve been in a bit of trouble with the law and it was because of bad choices. I know it helped me. Butch

This was more than just a day out of class. My eyes were focused in on this topic the whole time. I don’t think I even blinked. I admire all of you ladies for telling your stories, especially six times in one day and I hope I can have the chance to see your presentation again next year.  Matt

I was deeply moved by your presentation. I have never been in a class where no one moves for an entire hour. You touched many people’s lives and I wish you could touch more. The feeling in the room was grief and empathy for all of the families involved. I hope everyone sitting in that room heard what you said and was affected as much as I was. Please continue the crusade to stop violence and to make the right choices. Rebecca

After your presentation every word you said stuck in my mind and reached out to my heart. I could not hold in my emotion and just thinking of everything you told us made me cry. I want you to know you reached all of the students some way, and they all felt something in their hearts. You are brave and I will always remember what you said.  Sharon