Speaking Engagements Kara has had several opportunities to speak about her cancer and her book

Speaking Engagements
Kara has had several opportunities to speak about her cancer and her book.

Kara shares about her cancer and her experience as a young author. She shares writing tips and encourages students to not be afraid to use their imagination. Many students have been inspired to write after reading Kara’s book and hearing her speak.

In January 2009, Kara was invited to speak to fifty 4^th graders at Lakenheath Intermediate School, UK. She left a portion of her new story, The Duck That Wasn’t Really a Duck, for one of the teachers to read to her students. Ms Preciado came up with an assignment called “Kara 3-2-1” related to the story. The students wrote a one page paper sharing what they liked about the story, questions they had about it and how they thought it might end. The class was so enthused with her story, they invited her back in February for an Author’s Tea and bought 14 copies of her Tales of Cunburra book. The class was thrilled to learn that Kara had already completed the “duck story” and asked her to please read more to them while she was there. Kara was delighted with all the students’ responses to her presentation and writing. We have included excerpts from their thank you notes and papers. A week later, one student who purchased Kara’s Cunburra book told us that she was already half done with it. She exclaimed, “I love it!”

In November and December 2008, Kara was invited to speak to Ms Taylor’s 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade classes at Lakenheath Middle School, UK

In May

2008, Kara spoke to a class of 5^th graders at Lakenheath Intermediate School. The students had numerous questions regarding Kara’s cancer and the teacher commented how pleased she was that much of Kara’s presentation on writing reinforced and added to what they were learning in class.

“We so enjoyed Kara’s visit! The students were very inspired to follow their dreams. Kara’s presentation was both educational and entertaining. It was interesting to learn more about how a book is actually published and marketed. We are going to enjoy some of Kara’s stories during our Read Aloud time. Thank you again for sharing with us!”
Mrs. Peterson and the Fabulous Fifth at Liberty Intermediate School, Lakenheath AFB, England

of hearing-- and they've had the privilege of receiving dozens of professional career spokesmen and motivational speakers from the community. This remarkable and talented young lady speaks to adolescents in a way an adult cannot. With an interactive and well-formulated presentation, she captivates not just their interest-- that's not the hard part-- but directs her remarks to their hearts as well and leaves them "jazzed"-- as the kids would say."

“All the students were glued to Kara’s presentation listening intently to her story. She showed a PowerPoint presentation which depicted her life story starting from her adoption to publishing her first book. They asked many questions about getting started as an author and of course had a few questions about her struggle with cancer. Many of the students shared their own writing books with Kara and even had her autograph their writing books! As you can imagine, the room was abuzz with excitement after Kara left. Some couldn’t wait to get started with their own writing!” Ms Kay Spohn, Lakenheath Intermediate School, UK

In March 2008, Kara was asked to speak twice at the Lakenheath Intermediate School, UK, once to a class of 5^th graders and then to two classes of 4^th graders. The students were great listeners and enthusiastically participated in the interactive portions of Kara’s presentation. Kara was quite pleased with how many of these students love to read and write. One teacher shared with us that he is reading Kara’s book aloud to his class and Kara was thrilled to hear how much they are enjoying it.

In December 2007, Kara was asked to speak to three separate classes of 7^th and 8^th graders at the Lakenheath Middle School, UK. She was well received and enjoyed interacting with the students. She has since been invited to speak at Lakenheath Intermediate School.

In January 2007 she was asked to be a guest speaker at the AWAG conference (American Women’s Activities, Germany) a leadership and personal development training organization for volunteers throughout the American military communities in Europe. The conference was being held at RAF Lakenheath, UK.

Her first speaking engagement was November 2006. She spoke at the library on RAF Mildenhall, UK.