Wheeler High

From Don Gandy, the principal at Wheeler High School, in Valparaiso, Indiana.

I began reading The Go-Giver in early January [2009] in hopes of finding a book to give to all of our seniors in the school community (145 seniors in this class). This book truly inspired me to realize, in parable format, the importance of the “Golden Rule.” It was one of those WOW moments that hit me to truly see what is important in life.

My athletic director, Randy Stelter, and I are going to do a team-taught reading of The Go-Giver to all our seniors. We believe that this book will equip our seniors to deeply understand the principles of giving, and we want them to realize the importance of community. We are a public high school of approximately 600 students in grades 9–12. Every year the next senior class will read this book. It is our gift to them as they leave our school.

[… and from Randy Stelter, Wheeler High athletic director, some days later:]

We had our first discussion on The Go-Giver on Friday with the senior class. I was extremely pleased with their responses.

One of the seniors, Indy Roper, actually came up to Don at our basketball game on Friday and said, “I was a go-giver today!” She went on to share how she helped a lady whose car had died. She had to get her jumper cables and was able to help someone that was in need. Yes, this is only one student, but again, this can have a domino effect if enough of the Indys out there speak what they have learned.

Photo: Indy Roper with Don Gandy and Randy Stelter

Photo: Mike DeSimone (front) with Don Gandy and Randy Stelter

[… and a later note from Randy:]

Just finished our second senior class discussion of The Go-Giver. Must share that Mike DeSimone, our All-Conference Quarterback, has already finished the book — he was the first one finished. He answered questions like a scholar today, and I couldn’t have been more proud. Mike shared with me that it’s the best book he’s ever read and that “everyone should read it.”

I began with a five-question quiz and told the students that those who had all five correct would have a special gift next week.

I then shared the fifteen-minute movie clip from your blog, and the kids really enjoyed it. Many came up afterwards to express the support of today’s lesson. I challenged them to validate their experiences of “living and giving” the first law this weekend, and we would share those experiences next week.

Photo: A group of Wheeler High seniors

I really believe in what we are doing at Wheeler. I have already asked Don if we could start this project again at the beginning of next year so we could follow the progress of the “giver” mentality throughout the year. We want our seniors giving back to our younger students, and this is the perfect opportunity for them to catch the spirit.