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With gratitude and admiration, Allison Accettella

“Dear Mr. Johns,

It was such a pleasure seeing you yesterday, and I’m so glad I finally got the chance to hear one of your famous lectures! I still remember sitting in your classroom as a sixth grader, and you would always start class out on a positive note. You would inculcate us with your wonderful message of respect, even before you started AWRA. Your presentation yesterday left me feeling empowered and hopeful that every single day we can strive to achieve a character score of 99 by being kind, compassionate, respectful, empathetic, and non-judgmental. In light of recent events in this nation and in others, it is all to easy to feel as though there is “nothing” we can do, but your message is a true testament that meeting hate with kindness can help us rise above the hated and aggression. On a micro level, even the smallest acts of kindness are meaningful, and these acts are the ones we have control over every single day. It is a beautiful and comforting feeling knowing that every day we hold the power to be kind and help someone else, which is not only a win-win situation for everyone involved, but is also a stone thrown in water which has the potential to become a ripple effect. Spreading empathy and compassion is of upmost importance, because no matter who you are, or where you come from, kindness is universal, and only leads to positive effects.

Thank you so much for visiting SUNY Adirondack yesterday. As I mentioned before, we need more people like you to come in and speak on such fundamental and important topics such as respect, kindness, empathy, and compassion. Too often these concepts are just “words” thrown around in conversation, but it is wonderful having someone like you around to remind us that these words are actions that can, and must, be taken on a daily basis. Your message really resonated with me, and I look forward to carrying your ‘Act With Respect Always’ message with me wherever I go.

I wish you nothing but the very best as you continue to spread AWRA across the nation. Please realize how grateful I am to know someone like you, who emulates and embodies everything AWRA represents. I admire your tenacity to spread your message to all those fortunate enough to cross your path, and I look forward to seeing all the good that will continue to come of this mission.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and please be sure to keep in touch!”

With gratitude and admiration,
Allison Accettella