Award winning author visits West Middle School

Pictured: Landon Baker, Jamecia Hardman, Domenick Morris, Kate Summers, Kaley Balli, Garbriel Roland

 West Middle School was recently honored with a visit from Alton Carter, award winning author and motivational speaker.  Mr. Carter wrote THE BOY WHO CARRIED BRICKS which recently won the 2016 Oklahoma Book Award. His passion is to help young people recognize the power that is within them to meet the challenges life brings to them. In 2015, he founded the Alton Carter Inspire Foundation with the goal of assisting young people who have lived in foster care, group homes, or DHS juvenile facilities in securing a college degree.  A percentage of the book sales from THE BOY WHO CARRIED BRICKS goes to this cause. Alton Carter currently serves as director of youth ministry at First United Methodist Church in Stillwater.  As a follow up, students at West are being challenged to express their thoughts in writing regarding the presentation (see quotes below). Additional information and a photo are available at http://www.altoncarterinspirefoundation.com/

Student Reflections

“Alton Carter came to give a speech to our school. He talked about how he had a really rough time when he was a child. He talked about how he was taken away from his mother, how he was abused, and how he acted towards other people because of his history.  He quoted the movie BOXTROLLS  “when a heart is broken is grows back crooked”.  I found his speech very motivating.”

“Alton Carter’s story was one I will never forget.  The reason I will never forget his story is because he said a phrase that struck me right in the heart “sometimes when a heart is broken it grows back crooked.” The reason I took this as such an emotional quote is because I could really relate to it.  I learned that when kids bully you sometimes they aren’t having a very good time right then like we are now.  I learned that whenever you bully someone that it will hurt for a long time.”

“Alton Carter helped me understand that the only reason people make fun of people is because the way they feel about themselves. I think it was the best speech I have ever heard.”

“He was inspiring to most kids that are having a hard time getting by with life. His life story was the best thing I’ve ever heard.”