Thanks for Africa

From: DJK [mailto:dezihayjoy@googlemail.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2007 9:28 AM
To: Siekmeier Tom
Subject: Thank you!

Dear Mr Siekmeier,
I had you for Language Arts 3/4 about 9 years ago :). I cannot believe how time passes so quickly. Anyway I just wanted to tell you that your class made a difference in my life, particularly the section we had on South African literature. I am currently in South Africa as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar doing my MA in Development Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. This week has been a special lecture series dedicated to Nobel Prize Winner Nadine Gordimer. We read stories from Nadine Gordimer in your class, and I have never forgotten them. I had the great honor of meeting her, and I told her that I had a fantastic teacher when I was 14/15 who introduced me to her writings, and instilled in me a desire to see and experience the world. I just wanted to thank you, Mr. Siekmeier! You have made a difference! Attached is a picture, and a message I sent to friends and family :).
Most Sincerely,
Desirée Kosciulek
....
Dear Friends and Family,
The University of the Witwatersrand is currently being visited by Nobel Prize Winners Amartya Sen and Nadine Gordimer. Gordimer, a graduate of Wits, won the Nobel Prize for literature, and thanks to my 10th grade teacher I read her when I was 15. It was actually a big deal for me to talk to this amazing woman! Sen, also remarkable, is really the only economist I like because of the way he tries to put a human face to the situation of poverty and development. It was an amazing discussion with close to 2000 people, and I felt honored to be apart of it. Anyway I would suggest reading something from either of these people, if you haven't already. Just wanted to share this all with you. Thanks!
Love and Peace,
Desirée