Miss Deborah,
I also wanted to say “Thank you” for taking the time to visit my son’s high school and for giving him & the other students the two books, each. My son, & his Sister have just dove right into both the books that you gave to him. He has passed your name around all weekend to various readers.
Besides of course the Harry Potter books (I made him read each one before seeing each movie) this is the first year He is actively reading novels and more grown up material. Thank you for sharing part of your background and life story; I know that isn’t something you have to do as an author and I applaud your bravery in doing so. I believe it helps in the healing process and helps everyone (but especially, high school students) to know that you can make good choices, be successful, and do what makes you happy and still make a living at it even after adverse circumstances and / or bad choices.
We wish you much success!
Blessed be
Lynn Mos |
I sm from Western Heights High school. I read one of your books my freshman year(A House Divided)I loved it. It is my Juniour year. You came to visit my school and we received two of your books. I have reead both and they are awsome. More importantly you gave a speech that insopired me. I have have a had similar life but not as bad. I am really trying to apply myself and do all that I can to do my best in school. I just wanted to thank you because if i hadn't have heard your speech that day I wouldn't be doing do well. I want to thank you because just by telling your story you havr heped so much and I will be looking forward to reading several more of your books. You have inspired me as well as many others. Keep on doing your speaches you really do make a difference. sincerely, Amber Maxwell
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Deborah this is Jesenia Herrera and I am a student at Western Heights high school. Well i really enjoyed your speech. You are the best speaker that has ever spoken at Western Heights I also wanted to tell you that you are a very caring person because you gave the whole school two books that was very nice of you. I also wanted to let you know that what you told me today that for me to believe in myself and to stay true i am going to. Your speech really did touch me today, and i want to let you know that you are welcome to Western Heights anytime. Thank you
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Hi Deb,
Wow. You moved a lot of kids today. Thank you SO much for coming to Western Heights. You were certainly the talk of the day, and kids were digging into both books. Our department chair told me you provided the best assembly we've ever had, and that your no-nonsense approach was just what the kids needed. I completely agree. All the English teachers loved it. The librarians loved it, and the kids did, too. We really appreciate you coming. Thank you!
Steve Wedel
English Teacher- Western Heights High
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Deb, I just have to thank you again. Kids are still talking about you. Kids are still coming to me and saying things like, "I've never read a book I didn't have to read, but I've already read all of Morbid Curiosity and started Water Witch." They're asking for other books like them. It's amazing. I swear someday people will be lighting candles under a painting of you. Thank you for all you do!
Oh, and thank you for what you said about me at the assembly. I appreciate that. You know, when I started writing the goal was to make enough money to quit my day job. Now, if I got a decent contract, I don't think I'd give up teaching.
-Steve Wedel |
| I read both of the books for the challenge and loved them both! When you came to Church Point and talked about your life, I was captivated. I am a person who loves to take a challenge and I am going to take yours. Thank you for the opportunity to do this! Amanda Daigle-Student |
Deborah,
Thank you!! We had students reading at lunch!!! We are just thrilled about the challenge and grateful that NHS was the chosen school. We had nothing but positive comments. You are a gifted woman and we are excited to have you on our team. Mr. Handy was most impressed with your presentation and what you did for our students. Maybe at the beginning of the next school year we can have you come in and talk with the students about the book. We could do this through our ELA classes. May take a day or two but would be a great way to show the students that you are following up. Let me know what you think.
Again, thanks for giving back.
Sincerely,
Denise S. Hebert
Curriculum Coordinator
Northside High School
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On behalf of Dr. Parker and Kashmere High School, I just want to thank you all for the presentation on yesterday. Ms. Leblanc was entertaining, enlightening, and inspirational. It brought me great joy to see students reading their books this morning. As the literacy coach at an inner-city high school, I live the struggle of teaching students the power of literacy. It takes programs like Ms. Leblanc, which unite technology with the written word, to spark the interests of this century's youth. Keep up the good work. Thanks once again for spending your time with Kashmere High School. We appreciate your mission and your hard work.
Tameika Ashford, M.Ed
Literacy Coach/Campus Lead Mentor/ UIL Coordinator
Kashmere High School
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Hi, I am a freshman in Parsippany Hills High School, you came to my school yesterday and I loved your presentation, I also like the quote you said,"if you can dream it, you can do it." Thanks a lot, I will follow my dream.
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Hi this is Phoenix Avila from Kennedy High School, and I was there when you talked to us this year and and shared about your life. I just wanted to let you know that your story about your youth really touched my heart and many others who were there. Its amazing that you survived. God must really love you and He needed you alive because well how else were you going to be there telling us your testimony. I think when you told us your story it changed my whole point of view for life and the way I see others. Well I hope you can visit us next year. Thank you! God Bless you and I will pray for you.
Phoenix Avila
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Ms. LeBlanc,
I just wanted to write you and tell you the impact your life story had upon me. It was a necessary motivation in my life. Although I do not need to escape from any horrible reality, I do experience people telling me I can's excel in sports sometimes. And I always am about proving that person wrong. Thank you for devoting your time to writing and speaking to students who need to hear your message. It was a very positive experience for me and I thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to us at Fontainebleau High. See, I want to become a journalist for a national paper one day, and I feel that if I could just touch one person's life at some point in my career that all the hard work would be worth it. Have a good rest of the week, and I can't wait to read your novels.
Blakeney |
Hi, I'm Rachel. You went to John F. Kennedy on April 15. I was in Mrs. *** class to hear about your book and get an autograph. Even though I didn't get your autograph I know I will always remember you. You've touched my heart and you taught me a lesson that I thought I would never learn. You taught me to believe in myself and ignore what others think about me because in 20-30 years they won't be a part of my life as right now. And you also taught me that everything is fixable and I believe that. Thank you for the lesson you have taught me and I wish you will remember me someday.
Rachel
JFK High School Student |
Dear Deborah,
I can't thank you enough for doing such an outstanding job with your presentation at JFK. They exceeded our wildest expectations. The students are very enthusiastic about the Literacy Challenge. One boy came in and said he read the whole book over the weekend. He said he couldn't put it down! Many of the students in the afternoon classes keep asking when their books will be in. Thank you for inspiring them to read. We would love to have you come back in the fall if your schedule will permit it.
Thanks again.
Linda B. English Teacher |
"Hey, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your visit to Lake Arthur. Your story about your life was really intense. I also enjoyed hearing about your struggle that you had to go through to get where you are today. I think you are an inspiration to women and to young girls that don't have a steady home environment. I just wanted to say that I plan on getting your books and reading them and taking the challenge, and I look forward to going to your book signing on July 30 in Laf."
Julia - Student |
"Deborah,
Wow. Thank you for giving us a part of yourself. You touched many young hearts today just be being your authentic self. Personally I feel inspired by you--inspired to write, inspired to thank God for everyday, to embrace my own suffering so that some good can come out of it, and, of course, to read. Obviously, you have found your purpose in life--God's purpose for you. I feel grateful to you for sharing and giving back to people in such a big way."
Tammy- English Teacher |
Dear Deborah,
Thanks for speaking at Fontainebleau High in Louisiana. I really enjoyed your life story and I thought it was very powerful. Keep up the good work.
Brent |
“The thing that impressed me the most about Ms. LeBlanc’s school day presentation was the passion she had for her craft, and the accessibility she allowed every student. She drew the kids out by sharing personal stuff, and then she helped each student focus themselves to write something that very moment. Ms. LeBlanc is an exciting and personable presenter who left the group with energy and enthusiasm to write. Thanks for the chance to see you do your thing and for sharing your passion with us.”
---LYNN SZCZECK, ENGLISH TEACHER, HUNTERDON CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY---
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“The kids still talk about your visit. They were so impressed and you made such a positive impact on them! Thank you!”
---STEPHANIE RASIC-STEBEN, ENGLISH DEPT., WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL, SEATTLE WA. ---
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“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed meeting you and listening to your wonderful program this Saturday afternoon at the Mokena library. I am so glad you came and I hope the experience was as good for you! I would definitely love to have you back, perhaps after your new book, Grave Intent, hits the bookstores! You are an interesting and dynamic speaker and it was a pleasure hosting you!”
---PHYLLIS JACOBEK, DIRECTOR, MOKENA PUBLIC LIBRARY, MOKENA, IL.---
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“The workshop was very enlightening to my students. It not only motivated them to read, but excited them about the challenge. I was thrilled by the way you were able to relate to the students, get on their level, and share with them the boundless opportunities that await them if only they try.”
---TISHA PERKINS, ENGLISH DEPT., WADDELL HIGH SCHOOL, CHARLOTTE, N.C.---
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“Today’s society is all about getting ahead with doing the least amount of work. Instead of reading a book, they will rent it or get cliff notes. Also students want a reward for doing work. This challenge will help motivate people to read because if they read the books and answer the questions right, they may win money. So they get a reward for reading. But this challenge is not only reading, you must write an original essay, too. As soon as I heard about this challenge, I went out and bought “Family Inheritance” to read it, so I could win money. When I started the book, I was reading for the money but something about Deborah’s writing caught my attention. I became entranced in the book. It only took me 3 days to read it. Maybe after reading these books, students will want to read instead of being forced to read.”
---DANIELLE BRAGG, STUDENT, HUNTERDON CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY---
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“Ms. LeBlanc’s workshops and The LeBlanc Challenge have injected spice into my classes, forcing my students to delve much deeper into themselves and their writing. The exercises are infused with Ms. LeBlanc’s real life examples. They brought the students to a new level of thinking and allowed them to draw from their own experiences. All high school students need motivation to write and read, especially when it’s not a mandatory task. The LeBlanc Challenge is like a golden carrot, enticing the students into the enjoyable world of reading. Ms. LeBlanc has changed my own view on writing, which helped me become a better author. I am hopeful these positive changes will bleed over into my own instruction as a teacher.”
---DAVID SIMMS, ENGLISH TEACHER, HUNTERDON CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY---
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