I had to rise at 4:30 in the morning if I was going to make it in time to speak to the students at Nodland and Sunnyside, which is over 3 hours north and west of Des Moines. Sioux City has a population of approximately 140,000 people. It has been named twice as an All-American City. Lewis and Clark documented their travels west through the region in 1804. I was impressed by all the modern structures being built in Sioux City. The city has a fabulous mall and I couldn't resist a deep-fried chicken sandwich at Chick Fil A located in the food court.

I was greeted at Nodland by both my host, Staci Page, and her principal, Mrs. Hess. Nodland is one of the newest schools built in Sioux City and was built to showcase the district's most modern school to new arrivals. The K-2 students were a bit hesitant upon seeing me. In fact one of the students reported to me that his friend thought I was the devil.

Once I asked for volunteers the students warmed up to me and then shouted with enthusiasm over Creeper and his glass eye. None of youngsters could quite figure out how I got Creeper's eye in the bag.

Staci escorted me over to Sunnyside to speak to grades 3-5. Staci volunteered her daughter to read from the book and at the end of my speech introduced me to her athletic son. Staci is very involved in the school district having been elected PTA president and much of her time is spent between baseball practice, hockey practice, gymnastics, and gaining support/interest of the parents in the school district. I have to commend Staci for placing her three children in the school district she teaches. It shows how proud she is of Sioux City's school district.

A controversy erupted over best screamer when the girls cheered for their favorite female screamer and the boys cheered for their favorite male screamer. I was booed by the boys for selecting the girl. I quickly doused the issue when I began talking about slimy fish, smelly chicken livers, and wiggly nightcrawlers. Boys love such gory details.
In the end I was able to make amends to the boys when I closed the assembly talking about baseball and living out dreams. I had a swell time and I think the many shouts of joy and laughter meant the kids had fun, too.