There is much to be thankful for in 2010. To start, spring is finally here after a long, cold winter. I have completed A Birthday Wish and have had the support of a most talented editor by the name of Emma Walton Hamilton who edited the picture book. My daughter, Erin, is leading the charge in getting my new skateboarding book titled Me and Bucky Lasek Puttin' It Down at the X Games in the hands of a prominent literary agency.

I had a successful fall speaking tour and I am now into my spring speaking schedule to schools. The Reds' Gapper accompanied me at both St. Clement and Batavia Schools. At Batavia, we had parents calling into the school wanting the Great American book because students had such a great time during my speech. On March 22nd through March 26th I spoke at Lowell and Poyner Elementary in Waterloo, Iowa. I spoke at Readlyn and Fairbank Elementary and at Denver. It was at Denver I was met warmly by Kim Tierney who is a passionate 6 foot two fomer national volleyball superstar. I spoke to the gifted Denver students about the importance of scene development in writing.

At Poyner I was met by over 500 students and we filled the gymnasium floor from front to back. I was touched by the roaring enthusiasm and especially by the young man who wore his catcher's ensemble including mask, shinguards, and chest protector for the baseball skit. Two shy kindergartners clutched hands as they confessed their dreams to the jovial bunch.

However, what especially made my week was a senior from Denver High School who made time out of her busy week to confess her dream of wanting to become a Hollywood movie star. And while my expertise is in wiriting I hope she takes my advice and goes to New York City to try out for an off Broadway play. I could see the passion in her sparkling eyes as she spoke with conviction about her acting dream. As I often tell students, "Your time is now."

I am drawing closer to another milestone of speaking to 100,000 students. My goal is to speak to a million students. It is so important during these financial difficult times to not hinder our children's dreams because "Now is their time."