I am a teacher in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minn. In June, my class of at-risk students embarked on an adventure in Hawaii; first at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and then in Oahu. In order to be in my "Leadership" class and to be on this trip, students have to decide to change their lives.

One of the true highlights of our trip was meeting your wonderful state senator, Mike Gabbard, his wife Carol, and several of his staff members. Not only did Mike and Carol greet us at the airport with plumeria leis, they spent an entire day with us. Gabbard was amazing at reinforcing the importance of our class mottos, "Life is about relationships" and "A leader is a dealer in hope." Mike and Carol formed relationships with my kids, made them feel important and accomplished, gave them hope and reinforcement that they are making the right choices and good things will come back to them because of the changes they are making. Mike presented each student with a personalized certificate congratulating them on making life changes.

When we return home from our trips, I listen carefully to the stories my students tell others so I can learn what really mattered to them on the trip. They constantly talk about Mike and Carol, as do I.

Life is about relationships and because of Mike and Carol Gabbard, we have such fond memories of Hawaii and have felt the warmth of Hawaii's citizens through them.

Thank you for sharing him with us!

Marcia Nelson and Leadership Class members
Crossroads Alternative High School
Coon Rapids, Minn.