Aylen Jr. High
To Whom it May Concern:
Each year at Aylen Jr. High we provide a day of workshops and inspirational speakers for our students. This day falls on the last day before winter break. We provide large and small group presentations to our student body of nine hundred students. A1 Foxx was our opening presenter for the seventh and eighth grade students. As the opening presenter for these students, A1 spoke in a large group capacity in our gymnasium. He spoke to 600 of our 900 students on the theme, "Winners Don’t Quit". This message, coming from Al, had a much stronger message than it would have had coming from a major league athlete. Al, himself, is quite handicapped. Although his handicaps are obvious to the eye many students and teachers responded immediately to the fact that he was talking about himself being a winner.
Students were enthusiastic about his storytelling style of presentation and responded positively to the fact he could share humor about the trials and tribulations of his own life. Our students turned in an evaluation survey at the end of the day which reinforced the positive impact A1 had made on our students.
Sincerely,
Diane Prokop
Pride Day Coordinator
Northshore Junior High
RE: Al Foxx, Presentation at Northshore Junior High, Bothell, WA 98011
On May 2, the staff and students at Northshore Junior High were treated to an hour of soul searching and laughter. Al Foxx, who had been injured in a motorcycle accident several years ago, ambled into our gymnasium and spoke to our students about attitude, goals, and a desire to succeed. Being told by doctors that he would never walk again because of the accident, Al persevered with hours and hours of therapy, a great amount of help, and an inner desire to prove the doctors wrong.
The students listened to Al’s story, laughed at his dry humor, and pondered his difficult transition from "free spirit" to partially paralyzed, yet gutsy opportunist. Al refused to quit, and his message of determination and self-respect was well received by those listening to him. The following morning I received a couple of calls from parents who stated that their students were "very impressed" by Al’s courage and motivated by his desire to see them succeed.
His "bucket full" of self-esteem reminders offered the students practical ways to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. Each positive "tip" showed students that they can make a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of their own family members and friends.
Thank you, Al, for sharing, inspiring, and planting the seeds of a "can do" attitude in our students. We were all very impressed!
Rob Bastasch
Assistant Principal
Quotes from Students at Northshore Junior High
It was really funny and good. Al made me laugh, and he made me think. I learned how important a self esteem is. And I learned that if I treat myself and others with respect, they’ll treat me with respect.
Nate E.
Al’s was the funniest and the best assembly this year. Never giving up makes life a lot better. Like he said, "Winners Don’t Quit!"
Gary H.
Most assemblies are boring, but Al’s funny and inspirational assembly kept the kids glued to him. People who have dug themselves in a hole they think they can’t get out of would probably change their minds after listening to Al Foxx.
Lydia M
Leota Junior High
Dear Al:
Thank you for an excellent presentation at Leota Junior High School. Your accomplishments are very impressive. It was amazing to see you hold the attention of over seven hundred junior high school students. The students are still talking about your wonderful sense of humor and wisdom. You shared a powerful personal message that students could internalize. The "A, B, C’s" and tips for "Keeping Your Self-Esteem Bucket Full" were right on target for adolescents who struggle with self-esteem issues. You are a role model for both students and staff.
I also personally appreciated the extra time you took to help the student who was upset with some other students following the assembly. Even though her issue had nothing to do with you, you became an invaluable resource. You helped her put the problem in perspective. In fact, I think you made her day because you reminded her to believe in herself. It is not often that an assembly presenter will go out of his or her way to help an individual student.
It was a pleasure to have you at Leota. Your enthusiasm, energy, sincerity, and talent shined! I wish you continued success!
Sincerely,
Sharon Williamson
Principal
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