One night, I was asked to open the Lutheran Church I was going to, so that the Men's Chorus of a black Baptist church could practie for a concert. When I heard the power and felt the excitement of that old black gospel music, I had to become a part of it. Like the old "domino theory" of Richard N., my whole life was changed in ways I could never have imagined.

I think many of us can remember a particular teacher who believed in us and saw our potential, even though we couldn't. All it takes sometimes is one person believing in you. The teacher for me was my seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Playfair... honest. I felt as attractive as belly button lint, and had no confidence, but she thought I was
a wonderful young man. Got me to believing that maybe I wasn't such an idiot, after all. When I went into 8th grade, I went from school Pariah to being elected to the Student Council. Thank you, Mrs. Playfair, wherever you are..

Jerry