Miller Creek Middle School

I visited Miller Creek Middle School in San Rafael, (Marin County) today. It was amazing. It's the school of a cool kid, Spenser Rey, who is the nephew of my buddy Glenn. I was accompanied by Glenn, Jackie (Spenser's aunt), and Lorrie--Spenser's mom. We had so much fun and I spoke to an assembly of three full classes in the gym. That went so well and the teachers were great, and the students were so bright. They asked such excellent questions and were a fabulous crowd. It was definitely the best speech that I've ever made to the kids. I'm learning and things are going well. The main point was that you are going to get knocked down, and you just have to get back up again.

Then I went to speak to Mr. Stein's English class. What brilliant and beautiful kids. They were 7th graders and I was so impressed with them. Mr. Sten is a great teacher as well. They have it very good. It's too bad that he's moving to Poland soon, but he has to heed his calling and go. A point I made to them was that we all have something inside of us that we want to do, and if we don't do it, we hurt our spirit. Mr. Stein is following his calling and I'm following mine.

After Mr. Stein's class I spoke to another assembly in the gym. I was daunted at making the same speech again and trying to recapture the magic, but it went really well. The kids and teachers were wonderful and it was awesome.

Then I was interviewd by the most amazing kid, aside from Spenser, at Miller Creek. Her name is Shannon Reed. She has already written a 250 page novel, and she just turned fourteen, I think. Anyway, Shannon interviewed me for the I-Panther pod cast show that her school has. She is an extremely brilliant girl and I see a lot of promise in her. She's about 20 years ahead of me, because when I was 14 I could never have written a book like she has.

So, the interview went well and I left the school feeling wonderful. Jackie, Glenn, and Lorrie were there to support me in the gym speeches and I was so thankful for their presence. I am truly blessed with wonderful friends.

I'll be at Miller Creek at their book fair doing a signing on Thursday, May 15 from 6-8 PM. Mrs. Van Rossun Daum (spelling?) is the librarian and she helped me so much during my speeches, introducing me and escorting me around. What a cool lady.

Miller Creek was such an amazing experience. I can't wait to go back soon for the book signing.

Bye for now,

Paul Genesse, Author of The Golden Cord