After a few days off and a much needed return to see my family in Ohio, I was back on the road to Knoxville, Iowa - birthplace of the Iowa Flag and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. The Knoxville Sprint Car Championship Cup Series was just a few weeks away from starting its new season.

My first stop was to the Middle School where I met Mr. McNeill. The students were just a few days away from state testing and Mr. McNeill believed my message would help inspire his students to perform their best on their required tests. I was placed in the auditorium that was decorated with props for a high school drama performance. The couch, throw rug, and antique furniture was a nice touch even though it hadn't been prepared for my speech. The auditorium was filled to capacity even though Mr. McNeill had told me that student enrollment was down nearly 70 students from previous years. I started off asking the students their dreams and one young lady was certain she'd become a judge and one young man was also certain he'd become a manager after graduating from college.

What seemed to attract these students most was my candid talk on my daughter and I's troubled relationship when Erin was their age. I let the students know that it was up to them to talk openly with parents about when they needed a parent's support and when they were ready to try it alone. The students gave me a riveting applause at the end of my speech and so I hope I helped inspire them to further their success in education.

When I reached East Elementary, I met Jeanne McCombs. She was reading a book to kindergarten students in her library and the students were enthralled with the story of a young girl who was in search of where she had last placed her library book.

A few minutes before my speech I was met by Mr. Montgomery (Mr. M is what the students call him) and he then told me the surprising news. Mrs. McCombs and he had raised enough money to purchase each family in their school one of my books. Mr. Montgomery is a seasoned professional and yet I could sense from him how proud he was - as he should be - of this remarkable accomplishment.

Before my speech, I informed Mrs. McCombs that she should let the students know about the town's gift to them after my speech. It was after my speech that Mrs. McCombs tried forcing out the words but struggled through tears of joy. When she told the students that I was going to personally autograph all 170 books the students cheered. I noticed Mr. M. standing by the door and I could see this pillar of a man fighting back his own emotions. I realized then how important this moment was for Mr. Montgomery and Mrs. McCombs and in many respects what may have been a turning point for these students in terms of appreciation for the gift they were going to receive.

I just dropped off the three boxes of signed books and it was Mr. Montgomery who met me at the door. The students had a day off but there stood Mr. Montgomery no doubt waiting on me to drop off the books. He said that over and over again the students said to him, "East Elementary is the best school ever."

I thanked the principal and said, "If only we could find a way to sustain the children's enthusiasm through high school?"

It wasn't easy for the principal respond to such a wishful thought.

I can only hope that the East Elementary students take their gift and learn what Fuji learned long ago: That a gift should never be taken lightly. And it is up to each of us to return our gift someday for the betterment of all in time.

Thank you Mr. M and Mrs. McCombs whose heartfelt joy inspired in all of us that their indeed exist champions in educational excellence.