Elementary Testimonials
"Whoever nicknamed you the 'Human
Hurricane' wasn't kidding! You kept up an incredible pace
and gave a high-energy presentation during each of the four
programs. Your message to our elementary students was undoubtedly
the most important hour of information they will receive
all year."
—Felicia N. Mercadante,
B.S.W., Outreach Coordinator, Danville Elementary School,
Danville, PA
"I was impressed that you were not
only able to hold the interest of my whole student body
(almost 600 students), most of whom were sitting on the
hard floor, for over an hour, but then continued to hold
the fourth, fifth, and sixth...for almost another hour."
—James R. Bowden, Principal,
Pioneer Elementary School, Royal Center, IN
"Your message for our students was
felt by everyone from Kindergarten through the Senior Class...Your
words will have a lifelong effect on Springfield."
—Sara Hillesheim, SADD
President, Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MN
"Your talk to students in grades 3-6
today was awesome. The students are still buzzing in the
classrooms about 'nice, true and necessary' as well as to
help others and be true to self."
—Christine M. Overkamp,
Principal, St. Columbskille School, Papillion, NE
"The kids are still talking about
your message...I think that every parent that I have talked
to since your visit has commented about their kids coming
home and talking about your message. I know the impact was
tremendous."
—Jerry Sparby, Principal, Cold Spring Elementary, Cold Spring, MN
"I had students from pre-school to high school come up and thank me for 'getting' you to come to our school. The impact you have on students and parents is amazing."
—Deb Metcalf, At Risk
Educator, Sheldon School District R-VII, Sheldon, MO
"You truly captured the interest of
the students during their three presentations, and your
message to parents was nothing less than inspiring. It
meant a great deal to the students and the parents that
you were available to meet them and get to know them personally."
—Joanne Pohlad, Principal,
St. Pius X Catholic School, Glencoe, MN
"Your ability to address so many different
age and interest groups and to reach all effectively on
their own level is a real gift with which God has blessed
you."
—Sister M. Clarissa
Tenbrink, ASC, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Salina,
Salina, KS
"It is really hard to believe, yet
I witnessed, that you started the morning at 8:15 speaking
to 300 middle school students and had the same dynamic energy
when you wrapped up the day at 9:30 PM!"
—Maryanna Massey, Outreach
Coordinator, Orono Public Schools, Orono, MN
"The feedback we have received has
been 100% positive, and this is from over 1,000 constructively
critical students and staff. We'll never forget you and
what you taught all of us."
—Daniel J. Bokesch,
Principal, Austintown Middle School, Youngstown, OH
"As a chairperson for PCN for over
5 years as well as Secretary for PTO for 8 years, I have
had the opportunity to hear many speakers. None compared
to you."
—Mary Hautman, PCN Chairperson,
Valley Middle School, Apple Valley, MN
"From the laughter and the genuine,
heartfelt applause, you could tell how much the kids enjoyed
it - and from the heads nodding in agreement, you could
tell that the teachers understood that something good, something
significant was going on... It was teaching at its best."
—Thomas Welsh, Principal,
Loucks-Edison Jr. Academy, Peoria, IL
"...Your message to them regarding
sex, drugs, depression, trust, independence, and self esteem
was right on target...I have rarely observed anyone with
your ability to hold the attention of such diverse audiences
for such an important message."
—Michael J. Williams,
Program Manager, Rockford Public Schools, Family Support
Center, Rockville, IL
"...The skills you possess and the obvious gift you have for reaching our audience is unprecedented. Not many can transition from one presentation to the next, assessing each group as they present themselves to you for the first time, and in seconds deciding whether to begin on a serious or humorous note depending on the vibe you take in ...The passion and the interest in the students and what you were there to accomplish was truly evident by your actions before and after each presentation. The flavor always changed based on the needs of each group..."
—Kelly Dunham, Chairperson, Campaign For Our Kids, DeKalb County
"90 minutes, 800 High School students,
orderly, attentive!!! Who else but John Crudele."
—Bernie Stephenson,
Principal, Fort Madison High School, Fort Madison, IA
"In my 20 years as an administrator,
I have heard many speakers at schools and conferences. John,
you are the best!...The students are already asking to have
you back."
—Terry Roderick, Principal,
Seeger Junior-Senior High School, West Lebanon, IN
"Most speakers give you an hour or
two but John devotes a whole day with your students, staff
and parents...Do not miss an opportunity to book him!"
—Chris Thomalla, Principal,
Cotton School, Cotton MN
"He quickly establishes rapport and
holds the interest of the most easily distracted students
in assembly settings."
—John G Mills, Assistant
Principal, Clearfield High, Clearfield, UT
"In today's world, if you work with
teens, then you can't afford not to schedule a presentation
featuring John Crudele. Simply put: he's the best!"
—Thomas E. McNally,
Principal, Park High School, Grand Rapids, MI
"...It was just what we needed....I
loved what you had to say...it spoke to our very soul. Concepts
I do not believe our young people and adults consider enough...were
expressed by you in a most articulate manner."
—Thomas Sunderbruch,
PhD., Principal, Assumption High School, Davenport, IA
"...The response from both parents
and students has been outstanding...Your presentations were
much needed and extremely timely."
—Mark Moir, Development
Director, Gehlen Catholic School, LeMars, IA
"Your messages on living life drug
and alcohol free and remaining chaste until marriage were
powerful...You really added the personal touch when you
stayed around after the sessions to talk to every student
individually who wished to speak with you."
—Marie E. Angele, Campus
Minister, Gross High, Omaha, NE
"Our high school students were wowed
by your energy and honesty, and related to you and your
hands on approach immediately. ...just when they thought
it was hilarious, you hit them between the eyes, hard, with
the one line zingers and quiet truths. You received a standing
ovation...and as one student later reported, 'that never
happens!'"
—Susan Edwards, Parent
Support Network Chairman, Bishop McGuinness High School,
Oklahoma City, OK
"John brings an energy to his presentation that is immediately contagious! Within the first few minutes of his program, John has captured the hearts, minds, and emotions of the audience. He has the wit, the charm, and most importantly, the authentic capacity to present real-life experiences in connecting with his audience - his presentations are among the most popular we provide to students, faculty, and community."
—Dr. Thomas J. Downs, Superintendent,
Southeast Polk Community SD, Pleasant Hill, IA
"Thank you so much for the outstanding
presentation you made to my class of Graduate students...
I can honestly say that you made a difference in the lives
and careers of these future educators."
—Martha Simpson, M.ED.,
Adjunct Faculty, University of St. Thomas, School of Education,
St. Paul, MN
"Thanks for speaking with our students.
I stood at the back of the standing-room-only crowd in the
auditorium to watch their reaction. The students were tuned
in to every word you said...Your message was right on target
for our college students."
—Dave Nixon, Ed.D.,
Executive Dean, Emmetsburg Campus, Iowa Lakes Community
College, Emmetsburg, IA
"Your presentations were insightful,
challenging and a tremendous success...You were able to
capture and hold the audience with your own mixture of humor,
insight, and observation...Your presentations were truly
high points for the conference."
—Tim Gregory, Educational
Services Co-Coordinator, National Association for Campus
Activities, Minneapolis, MN
"Your
words spoke to the heart of the student's lives. You successfully
addressed their realistic day-to-day challenges."
—Paige Crumm, Campus Activities Coordinator, Kansas Newman College,
Wichita, KS
"I found your message to be one which
everyone could relate to...John, you truly have a gift of
sharing in a way people can relate to and understand. Your
honest and direct approach is something students need and
appreciate."
—Veronica Riepe, Director
of Student Activities, St. Ambrose University, Davenport,
IA
"'You were the best feature of the
conference...' I have to agree. Your presentation impacted
everyone. You really know how to 'work' an audience."
—Sondra K. Sveda,
SADD Coordinator, Students Against Destructive Decisions,
Warren, PA
"Inspirational, incredible and spellbinding don't
do justice to describe the emotionally touching impact
which you had on the 1400+ students present in southwestern
Illinois for the 15th Annual St. Claire County Drinking
and Driving Awareness Conference."
—Patty Kubitchek,
Program Coordinator, Youth DUI Prevention/Safe Communities
Program, Belleville, IL
"I cannot begin to describe the truly outstanding
qualities of John Crudele as a motivational speaker. He
truly is one who lives and believes what he is talking
about! ...'Awesome.' 'He's Great!' 'Have him back next year.'
These were remarks I heard at the close of the session."
—Cleta Salyers, FCCLA
State Leadership Conference Coordinator, FHA/HERO, Malvern, IA
"THANK YOU for the absolutely sensational general
session keynote at the 29th Annual National TEENSupreme
Keystone Conference...by all accounts it was a smash."
—Judith J. Carter,
M.Ed., Senior Vice President for Program Services, Boys
and Girls Clubs of America, Atlanta, GA
"It was amazing to watch you connect with the audience
of both students and adults... What an incredible job
you did... What an experience!"
—Jessica Pierce, Abstinence
Educator/Peer Leadership Coordinator, Fayette School
District, Fayetteville, AR
"Adult comments included: 'great speaker, best of
conference,' 'inspiring,' and 'says what needs to be said
and so few are willing to say.' Youth comments included
'dynamic and interesting,' 'he got to the point but did
it with fun,' and 'it rocked.'"
—Necia Barlett, Conference
Meeting Planner, PRIDE, Newago, MI
"Your passion, humor and genuine humanity set the
tone for the most successful national meeting we have
experienced in many years. ...even I was surprised and
very impressed by your ability to master so many Camp
Fire details... Outstanding."
—Stuart J. Smith,
National Executive Director, Camp Fire Boys and Girls
"Thank you for your wonderful presentation at our
Fall Leadership Conference...You are an extremely talented
speaker!...Your energy, enthusiasm, and sincerity motivated
the FBLA members."
—Jessica Dorn, Nebraska
FBLA State Secretary, Lincoln, NE
"...I wish to say a special thank you for tailoring
your message specifically to our group and its programs.
Your interest in us and obvious ability as a speaker were
a great source of comfort at a time of challenge and stress."
—Charla Allen, FCCLA
Georgia Association Family, Career, and Community Leaders
of America, Blakely GA
"John changed my life on the spot - within an hour.
That is an amazing gift! He speaks with such elegance,
passion and real truth."
—SGT
Brian S. Atkinson, Instructor Counterdrug Task Force -
Drug Demand Reduction, Johnston, IA
"John knows what works! He captures his
audience with confidence and engages both heart and head.
John incorporates his research-based facts with compassion
and understanding of what it takes to 'be the best YOU
that YOU can be.'"
—Jo Ann Baum, L.A.D.C., Chemical Health Specialist,
Richfield ISD, Mpls., MN
"John Crudele understands the complexity of working with today's
youth - his presentations display wisdom and a deep appreciation and
understanding of those who make educating students their life work.
John recognizes the softer, more intangible side of making
connections with today's youth."
—Dr. Thomas J. Downs, Superintendent,
Southeast Polk Community SD, Pleasant Hill, IA
"...Your ability to communicate with a group of a hundred plus people is phenomenal. You have a wonderful message to deliver. At the end of the conference, we asked for evaluation forms to be completed on each of the sessions. Over the two and a half days of the conference, there were eighteen separate sessions. Your 'Heart of Living, Loving, Learning' came in number one by a wide margin. You were evaluated number one by more than two and a half times the second place speaker. This is a real tribute to you, John, and we are proud to have had you at our fall conference..."
—Robert L. Spies, Vice President, Institutional Trust Group, Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association Conference
"...Your presentation, 'What are our Kids Thinking . . . Reaching the Heart, Mind and Soul of Young People' was right on target for our Spotlighting Teen Issues initiative. You did an excellent job of synthesizing a wealth of relevant information to help our Extension educators deal effectively with some of life’s most difficult issues..."
—Shirley W. Hastings, Ph.D.,
Professor and Associate Dean, Family and Consumer Sciences Professional Development
"John changed my life on the spot - within an hour. That is an amazing gift! He speaks with such elegance, passion and real truth."
—SGT Brian S. Atkinson, Instructor, Counterdrug Task Force - Drug Demand Reduction, Johnston, IA
"I feel re-energized by your message
and look forward to continuing to build on the excellent
foundation you left behind for our staff..."
—Felicia N. Mercadante,
B.S.W., Outreach Coordinator, Danville Elementary School,
Danville, PA
"You have stretched us and made us
stop and question ourselves as teachers and parents. Are
we good role models? ...the kids and staff were wondering
if you could come and be their principal next year."
—Jerry Sparby, Principal, Cold Spring Elementary, Cold Spring, MN
"...you could tell that the teachers
understood that something good, something significant was
going on...It was teaching at its best."
—Thomas Welsh, Principal,
Loucks-Edison Jr. Academy, Peoria, IL
"In all my years as a teacher, coach,
principal, and superintendent I have never observed a more
effective presenter than you."
—Robert Hill, Superintendent,
Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, IL
"John Crudele was great! I have never seen
so many veteran teachers react so positively to a speaker."
—Roger A. Stevens, Superintendent,
District 50 Schools, Washington, IL
"...Teachers ranked your session as
excellent!...South Carolina found that you had it 'in gear.'"
—Carmen R. Pough, State
Advisor, Future Homemakers of America, Columbia, SC
"What a refreshing breath of life
you are!...Thank you for touching the lives of close to
8,000 people in Utah last week. The students and faculty
of Clearfield High School are still reminiscing about your vitality."
—Arlou Vance, State
Advisor, Future Homemakers of America, South Bountiful,
UT
"...you created that teachable moment
and provided a highly effective anti-drug and abstinence
message. 'Mr. Crudele saved me probably twelve hours of
classroom instruction in the hour and one half he spent
with our students.'"
—Randy Rivers, Principal,
Belle Plaine Middle School, Belle Plaine, KS
"Thanks you for your obvious devotion
to our society's young people; they need your passion, as
do those of us who work with them...and speaking of passion,
I was thrilled with your talk for our faculty and I hope
that it gave them much to think about!"
—Bess Kuzma, Principal,
St. Pius X School, Aurora, CO
"You most certainly touched many at
our educator's day...you reminded us that we are the mirrors
through which our students find reflected the values to
be cherished and the choices to be made. Our teachers described
your presentations as: 'An awesome message! Excellent. He knew what he was talking about! Powerful! Uplifting!
Wonderful! A terrific speaker! Packed with information and
inspiration!'"
—Sister M. Clarissa
Tenbrink, ASC, Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Salina,
Salina, KS
"Your message to our staff was excellent
and so timely. As educators, it is that time of year...Do
we count our blessings or bemoan our shortcomings?"
—Thomas Sunderbruch,
PhD. Principal, Assumption High School, Davenport, IA
"John brings an energy to his presentation that is immediately contagious! Within the first few minutes of his program, John has captured the hearts, minds, and emotions of the audience."
—Dr. Thomas J. Downs, Superintendent, Southeast Polk Community SD Pleasant Hill, IA
"I am still impressed with your ability to speak so effectively to so many different age groups and, in our case, all at the same time. The response from our parents has been overwhelming. Parents who were in attendance all said: 'just what our kids needed to hear.' They are asking if we can bring you back to do your parent seminar for them. You have a true gift for touching the lives of the teenagers you speak to."
—Cheryl Wood, Coordinator
of Faith Formation, Church of Saint Patrick, Edina, MN
"You gave us tools and strategies and more than one
parent was heard to say as he left, 'I'm going to try
that tomorrow.'"
—Susan Edwards, Parent
Support Network Chairman, Bishop McGuinness High School,
Oklahoma City, OK
"His powerful message challenged us
to change our paradigm from, 'What can our parishioners
do for us?' to 'What can we do for our parishioners?' ...Our
greatest testimonial to his presentation is our desire to
have him come back for an extended retreat.'"
—Karen Dolby, Church
of St. Michael Trustee, Prior Lake, MN
"It was touching to see so many couples
be affirmed in their roles as parents and to literally see
them strengthening their marriage bond in order to be better
parents for their children...They were most grateful for
opening some lines of communication with their children."
—Marie E. Angele,
Campus Minister, Gross High, Omaha, NE
“I really enjoyed your presentation. I have two boys, so this was my fourth time (7th and 8th grades) ... I think it is a great program. I think your presentation was enjoyed by both the kids and parents. Thanks.”
—Naomi Thompson, Parent, Mundelein, IL
"You are truly a gifted and talented speaker. God
has blessed you mightily! Our evaluations came back with
high applause and cheers from both the youth and the parents."
—Millie Gallert, Discovering
Real Love, Lutherans for Life of MI, Inc., Lansing, MI
"...thank you for coming to our middle school to
speak about the importance of abstinence and making good
choices. ...the heart you put into your presentation and
your non-threatening style was appreciated...the mix of
real life stories and humor kept all captivated."
—Maria J. Stubbier,
Program Coordinator, Abstinence Education and Promotion
Program, Hudson, NY
"John, you have a real gift in relating to teens
and adults. You offer messages of insight and inspiration
and your personal stories offer direction and hope."
—Alice Martin, Director,
Respect Life Office, Diocese of Superior, Superior, WI
"...thank you for the excellent job you did of addressing
Wisconsin Right to Life Region
V's Life and Love Conference. ...it was easy to tell from
the audience reaction that you cut through the static
and gave them pause to think. In short, thank you for
a great job."
—Jim Gallagher, Chairman,
Life and Love Conference, Eau Claire, WI
"You truly captured the interest of the students during their three presentations, and your message to parents was nothing less than inspiring. It meant a great deal to the students and the parents that you were available to meet them and get to know them personally."
—Joanne Pohlad, Principal, St. Pius X Catholic School, Glencoe, MN
"The spiritual lives of our students
were sparked like no other has done. Your words spoke to
the heart of the students' lives. You successfully addressed
their realistic day-to-day challenges. With the positive
and exciting message that the students themselves are important,
they can take pride in saying no to sex, drugs, and alcohol.
The students' eyes were opened from believing that they
were odd and somehow should be ashamed of abstinence, to
the realization that their bodies and hearts are gifts that
they have been given the privilege of managing."
—Paige M. Crum, Coordinator
of Campus Ministry, Kansas Newman College, Wichita, KS
"Thank you for a wonderful and uplifting
presentation during our 'We Love Our Kids' Celebration.
John, you are blessed with the rare talent of 'telling it
like it is' without making those who hear it feel insignificant
and unworthy; but rather hopeful and that they are someone
who counts."
—Vicki Peterson, Director
of Education, Zion Lutheran Church, Hopkins, MN
"...truly touching and inspiring!
Your sense of humor and knowledge of youth issues was a
big hit with the parents and teens. ...you are a great role
model...We appreciate you."
—Tricia Duhaime, LSW,
CCHD Office, Diocese of Superior, Superior, WI
"...Your message was very moving and
meaningful from the very youngest listener to the adults
and every age in between. ...Your visit was exactly what
we were looking for."
—Jonathan Hall, Calvary
Church, Bloomington, MN
"The feedback from the teens and adult
volunteers has been sensational. ...one of my volunteers (who
has attended more than twenty retreats) commented that this
was the most powerful retreat he has ever attended."
—Patrick Sayers, Director
of Youth Ministry, The Church of the Risen Christ, Denver,
CO
"...none have had a greater impact
than this year's speaker, John Crudele. We have had more
positive feedback on this year's event than any of the previous
ones."
—Dean A. Nyquist, Committee
Member, Christian Mediation & Reconciliation Center,
Brooklyn Center, MN
"John, your presentation was fantastic.
Your message was clear, practical and challenging. You could
hear a pin drop during your whole presentation... I have
met few speakers who can hit kids and adults so powerfully
and at their appropriate levels."
—Deacon Michael Knuth,
Director of Catholic Education, Diocese of Duluth, Duluth,
MN
