"I was lucky enough to have a chance to see your presentation "Share Your Care ".
I'd like to say thank you. That presentation alone had a huge impact on my life. The things you said, your stories (in particular one about being President, going to see a school hockey game, and just setting an example for everyone there by congratulating the team despite a loss) and your all around personality have made a lasting impression.
As a person I actually feel better about everything, whether it's the world, society or just the school community. You showed me that I can make a difference by simply daring to care. Your presentation truly inspired me, and for that I thank you."
Sara Vitelli, Student Leader, attended York Region (Ontario) Presidents Conference
"You were fantastic in your presentation to our student body, faculty, and to my MSASC Advisers at the two-day workshop. Your message is so meaningful, and you truly practice and live what you "preach" in your program "Caring is Contagious." This is such an important message for all of us in today's society and is particularly significant to those of us impacted by Hurricane Katrina. We have been blessed by many volunteers who have been so caring and are doing so much to help people rebuild their lives after the devastation. We are so thankful for all of these wonderful people, like you and your fellow church members, who have given so unselfishly of themselves in this time of great need."
Gayle Ladner Bentz, Director, Mississippi State Assoc. of Student Councils
(Gayle is referencing Andy’s visit to her high school and to the state’s conference for student council advisors. She is also referencing Andy’s week long volunteer work with his church helping rebuild homes in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.)
"I heard you speak at the Southern Association of Student Council’s conference in Greenville, South Carolina. You were so awesome! You were so funny and had such a great message. I am not exaggerating that 90% of what I learned at that conference I learned from you. It was just a phenomenal message. Whenever we went back to school today, we used what you told us about "Caring is contagious, but so is negativity" and shared it with the rest of our council. We told our council how you were the best part of the whole thing. I am still in shock of how talented you are and how well you relate things.
I also wanted to tell you that today I actually got to use your tactic of positive communication. We are selling our class T-Shirts and so I have been going around using "2-way communication" to sell them. I was talking to a kid who I figured wouldn't buy one but I was going to ask anyway. I kept trying to coax him to buy one and he just really got mad. He told me all this stuff about how he wasn't going to buy one and he wasn't going to the game or the pep rally. Then, just like you told us, I didn’t get sarcastic with him, but I told him "Well that's cool, but I would still like to see you there". It really did shock him! I really do appreciate the great advice you gave us. Thanks a lot."
Zeke Lollis, Student Leader, Mauldin, South Carolina.
"I cannot imagine telling you how you could improve....you are able to do things on the fly when necessary - always the consummate professional. It is not just what you do on the stage that impresses the participants (teachers and students alike) it is how you engage the students between formal sessions as well. You are always available, personable and approachable. The students leave the conference wanting to "be you". I cannot think of a better role model."
Carolyn Branhart, 2009 New Brunswick Provincial Leadership Conference Coordinator. Teacher at Fredricton HS
"The best part of the Saskatchewan Student Leadership conference was your presentation. It got me so motivated and encouraged me to do better in my life. I used to have such a bad self esteem and when you said "care is contagious, but so is negativity" for the first time, I thought hard about that statement. I wrote it in my agenda and think about your statement almost everyday. It really got me thinking about the way I was perceiving the world around me and the way I was dealing with the situations at hand. I applied it to my life in EVERY way. Since your presentation, I have found a happy medium in my life and encourage myself to be happy, because if I am unhappy and others see how something affects me, that may encourage them to become unhappy. This way I can spread happiness upon everyone I meet. Over the past few months, I have become a better person to not only my family, but society as well. I have found a great group of friends and enjoy everyday. I have a huge soft spot for helping others, and I realize that I do so much for others. I put everyone above myself, with some exceptions.
Don't ever quit your job; you never know how many more people you may impact just as much as you impacted me. YOU ARE AWESOME!!"
Jessica Comaniuk, Student Leader, Winston Knoll Collegiate, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I'd like to say thank you. That presentation alone had a huge impact on my life. The things you said, your stories (in particular one about being President, going to see a school hockey game, and just setting an example for everyone there by congratulating the team despite a loss) and your all around personality have made a lasting impression.
As a person I actually feel better about everything, whether it's the world, society or just the school community. You showed me that I can make a difference by simply daring to care. Your presentation truly inspired me, and for that I thank you."
Sara Vitelli, Student Leader, attended York Region (Ontario) Presidents Conference
"You were fantastic in your presentation to our student body, faculty, and to my MSASC Advisers at the two-day workshop. Your message is so meaningful, and you truly practice and live what you "preach" in your program "Caring is Contagious." This is such an important message for all of us in today's society and is particularly significant to those of us impacted by Hurricane Katrina. We have been blessed by many volunteers who have been so caring and are doing so much to help people rebuild their lives after the devastation. We are so thankful for all of these wonderful people, like you and your fellow church members, who have given so unselfishly of themselves in this time of great need."
Gayle Ladner Bentz, Director, Mississippi State Assoc. of Student Councils
(Gayle is referencing Andy’s visit to her high school and to the state’s conference for student council advisors. She is also referencing Andy’s week long volunteer work with his church helping rebuild homes in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.)
"I heard you speak at the Southern Association of Student Council’s conference in Greenville, South Carolina. You were so awesome! You were so funny and had such a great message. I am not exaggerating that 90% of what I learned at that conference I learned from you. It was just a phenomenal message. Whenever we went back to school today, we used what you told us about "Caring is contagious, but so is negativity" and shared it with the rest of our council. We told our council how you were the best part of the whole thing. I am still in shock of how talented you are and how well you relate things.
I also wanted to tell you that today I actually got to use your tactic of positive communication. We are selling our class T-Shirts and so I have been going around using "2-way communication" to sell them. I was talking to a kid who I figured wouldn't buy one but I was going to ask anyway. I kept trying to coax him to buy one and he just really got mad. He told me all this stuff about how he wasn't going to buy one and he wasn't going to the game or the pep rally. Then, just like you told us, I didn’t get sarcastic with him, but I told him "Well that's cool, but I would still like to see you there". It really did shock him! I really do appreciate the great advice you gave us. Thanks a lot."
Zeke Lollis, Student Leader, Mauldin, South Carolina.
"I cannot imagine telling you how you could improve....you are able to do things on the fly when necessary - always the consummate professional. It is not just what you do on the stage that impresses the participants (teachers and students alike) it is how you engage the students between formal sessions as well. You are always available, personable and approachable. The students leave the conference wanting to "be you". I cannot think of a better role model."
Carolyn Branhart, 2009 New Brunswick Provincial Leadership Conference Coordinator. Teacher at Fredricton HS
"The best part of the Saskatchewan Student Leadership conference was your presentation. It got me so motivated and encouraged me to do better in my life. I used to have such a bad self esteem and when you said "care is contagious, but so is negativity" for the first time, I thought hard about that statement. I wrote it in my agenda and think about your statement almost everyday. It really got me thinking about the way I was perceiving the world around me and the way I was dealing with the situations at hand. I applied it to my life in EVERY way. Since your presentation, I have found a happy medium in my life and encourage myself to be happy, because if I am unhappy and others see how something affects me, that may encourage them to become unhappy. This way I can spread happiness upon everyone I meet. Over the past few months, I have become a better person to not only my family, but society as well. I have found a great group of friends and enjoy everyday. I have a huge soft spot for helping others, and I realize that I do so much for others. I put everyone above myself, with some exceptions.
Don't ever quit your job; you never know how many more people you may impact just as much as you impacted me. YOU ARE AWESOME!!"
Jessica Comaniuk, Student Leader, Winston Knoll Collegiate, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
