10-14-09 Akers Elementary
Friends:
I am so excited to tell you about my visit to this school. Akers Elementary is the school where I attended junior high – 7th and 8th grades. It is here that I had class with my favorite teacher of all time, Karleen Good, my junior high language arts teacher.
10-13-09 Mrs. Karleen Good & Dianne de Las Casas
The visit was arranged by Peggie Anderson, Akers’ librarian and a wonderfully sweet woman who ensured my visit was nothing short of perfection. I was first taken to the cafeteria, where I spotted this cool sign on the front of the stage, made by the fourth graders. Wow!
10-14-09 Welcome Sign in front of stage in Cafetorium
I was introduced to Mike Sweeney, the principal, who welcomed me to Akers. It was surreal, being there for the first time since I graduated from the school nearly 26 years ago! The cafeteria had not changed – the smell nearly took my breath away, not because it was a bad smell, but because it sent me backwards in time to my 7th grade self!
Dianne de Las Casas in Junior High
There were signs all over the school, welcoming me. This one is for book orders.
10-14-09 Book Order Sign
Then there was the GINORMOUS sign in the library – it was once hanging outside but it had to be moved because of the wet weather.
10-14-09 Dianne in front of HUGE sign in the library
I did several assemblies for PK through 8 grades. It felt so good, being able to come back and share with the students who were sitting in the very seats I once sat in! The special quality about Akers is that all the students are military dependents. They are the children of a parent or parents who serve in the armed forces. My father was in the Navy and NAS Lemoore, where Akers is located, is the largest Naval base in the United States.
10-14-09 Performing for 6-8th grades
Earlier that morning, I woke up hoarse and in a panic. How could I lose my voice on such an important day?! Not only was I visiting my alma mater, I was also dedicating my book Scared Silly: 25 Tales to Tickle and Thrill to my junior high English teacher, Mrs. Good. Fortunately, I was able to get through my shows and the students really enjoyed themselves.
10-14-09 The lower grades watch Dianne perform
For lunch, I was treated to a potluck. All the teachers took the time to make the most delicious dishes… There was even a welcome greeting in the Teacher’s Lounge for me!! How cool is that? (I’d never been allowed in the Akers Teachers Lounge before… LOL) I felt so special (and FULL)!
10-14-09 Welcome Sign in the Teacher's Lounge
I even got to visit with some 4th grade classes. Such great kids with astute questions! A very special thank you to all the 4th graders for the lovely signs, especially the one in the cafeteria and the cool GINORMOUS handprint sign in the library. You guys rock!
After my assemblies were over, I headed back to my hotel to freshen up. Akers held a very special dinner, serving chicken in honor of Madame Poulet and cornbread in honor of The Cajun Cornbread Boy. But this dinner was really about honoring Mrs. Good and dedicating my book to her. I did a short slide show and then told a couple of stories. Afterwards, I signed books. Unfortunately, in the excitement of the evening, I forgot to have someone take pictures of this auspicious event. But here is a photo of the incredible newspaper article that appeared in the local paper, The Sentinel.
10-14-09 Newspaper article in The Sentinel
I did get a picture with one of my adorable fans from Akers, Conrad. What a cutie! I also met some of the wonderful parents of the Akers students. Thank you so much for your support!
10-14-09 Conrad & Dianne at the Akers Dinner honoring Mrs. Good
Akers was absolutely amazing. Thank you so much to Peggie Anderson, Karleen Good, Mike Sweeney, the teachers, the office staff, the cafeteria staff, and the students of Akers Elementary. It was a phenomenal visit – definitely a high in my career as an author! I hope to return again!!
10-14-09 Signs in the Library
Here’s to you, Karleen Good, for being such a life-changing woman, for caring enough to dedicate thirty years of your life to teaching. You planted a seed. It grew. It blossomed. Enjoy its fruit!
Until next time…
Warmly, Dianne
