Mary Gilman
Thomas Jefferson High School
Rochester, NY
"I would highly recommend reading Yes Pa in the High School population. The character building aspect of your book is wonderful. Students of all ages often vacillate between their belief system, peer conscience and what's working for them in the moment. Yes Pa can reinforce values or at least offer another choice to them. You offer the voice of a Grandfather or Uncle our students may have had but, never had the chance to learn their life story with ups and downs. As a bonus, your life parallels periods in time that we are studying in other classes. Your first hand accounts of the Great Depression and World War II are invaluable.
"Hopefully your extreme generosity and time will be appreciated by the US Government, Our First Lady and Arne Duncan to freely use your Yes Pa materials. I wish you the best of luck with this endeavor and hope you are successful."
Jill Keeler and Lynn Riccardi
Newark Valley High School
Newark Valley, NY
"Now that we have completed our unit of study, I can add my voice to the testimonials you have already accumulated. We are a small rural high school in central New York, Newark Valley, and we just used your book in a 9th grade applied English class, students who struggle with reading, writing, and school in general. We began the unit with trepidation for many reasons but the response of the students at every step of the way was positive, curious, and inquisitive. The reading level was such that they could easily handle the material yet worded in such a way to elicit deep discussions leading to insightful conclusions. It was so timely because we as teachers were struggling with many student behavior problems and the standard/traditional curriculum was not meeting the needs of these kids. In a nutshell, it turned out to be a lifesaver!"
Danny Wegman
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
Rochester, NY
"I think if there’s one thing we all want in our lives, it’s to make a difference, and when we are gone, to have influenced the people around us in a positive fashion. And I think that’s what Fred Sarkis is doing in working with young kids. He’s teaching them how to live life, how we live life, how he was successful, and I think that that’s the best thing an individual could ever do. I’m so proud of Fred, I’m so proud of his work with kids. He’s got his heart in the right place, and these young folks are going to feel it, that’s for sure. I know I have. And I believe in Fred.
"He believes in everything he’s doing, he brings his passion, and he teaches all of us that that’s so important in life to be passionate about what you’re doing. And so I think the fact that Fred shares this with young people—and all the difficulties he went through to become Fred Sarkis—I think he’s an inspiration to all of us. I know he’s an inspiration to me."
Thomas Lickona, Ph.D.
State University of New York College at Cortland
Cortland, NY
"Messages of character have to be delivered by a person of character. Fred Sarkis is such a person, and the story of his remarkable life will help anyone, young or old, to be a better person and lead a better life. Prisoner of the Truck and Yes Pa: Lessons in Character have the power to touch hearts and bring out the best in us all."
J.R. Smith
Earlham College
Richmond, IN
"Yes Pa: Lessons in Character and Prisoner of the Truck will inspire you with their message as they reveal the inner strength of a man who loves life, who confronts adversity, and who demonstrates how to be of service to mankind."
Joanne Agrasto Reed
Waterloo Middle School
Waterloo, NY
"Yes Pa: Lessons in Character caused my students to have empathy, an emotion that many middle students rarely show. Also, there was an improvement in their overall attitudes and academic achievement. With emphasis on adult or parental involvement, I will always use Yes Pa as required reading for my students."
William Locke
Arkport Central School District
Arkport, NY
"Yes Pa: Lessons in Character is universal. It touches students as well as adults who look back on their own lives. Yes Pa brings out empathy. It also creates a positive and memorable message."
Marcela Pous
Colegio Bosques
Aquascalientes, México
"I'm a member of a school in Aguascalientes, México. I know you through Tom Lickona's Summer Institute. As we are a bilingual school, we are surely going to use your Yes Pa: Lessons in Character book and the video of your talk. We are positive that you are going to touch our students. The first time I read Yes Pa I cried, you touched me. I really admire your work and dedication. Thank you."