Dear Mr. Robinson,

Your presentation on February 6 at HHS achieved things that no teacher or administrator or parent could ever do. I have never seen the freshman student body listen to anything with such attention. I have never in my life been changed so much by one person. What you did there was more than any assembly, more than any speech or workshop. You actually opened up our grade. This may not seem like such a daunting task, but ask any student teacher or guidance counselor can tell you it is. I can assure you, that the answers and stories you received from my grade were never heard or even mentioned of before. I live in Yonkers, yet go to HHS. For years and years I believed that the stuff I saw in and around my neighborhood never occurred in Hastings. But you were the one and only person to uncover the truth. You pointed out the shadows in our sunny community, and spoke to us on a level we have never appreciated before. I believe that we as a community were indebted by your appearance at our school. If you ever wonder if your message is getting across, or question the validity of such mail, please understand that you are achieving a level of communication with us that has never been accomplished before. By anyone. I would be graced to hear a reply to this e-mail.

I cannot stress the impact you have made on me and my fellow students. You represent to me all the good things to be achieved by our education. I swear to you, the social mask that you preached about is what was restricting me from jumping into your lap and bawling like a baby. I can honestly tell you that I am not a substance abuser. You opened up inside of me a reality that I had never seen before. You erased the illusions and stereotypes associated with drugs and alcohol. You made me aware of things I had only half-believed. You planted the seed of knowledge inside all of us and I feel that the entire world and heavens should get the grace of hearing you. You are the brightest beam of light in a confused and damaged world.

May you forever live a beneficial life, Scotty Rock.

Sincerely touched,
Andrew from HHS