Mark is very passionate about suicide because he had a personal experience with it. He was willing to share his experience, at no cost, just to be able to help those students in need. Because suicide has impacted his life so dramatically, he wanted to share his story to help open up lines of communication, and in turn, hopefully help those kids who are struggling.
Mark came to our school and met with us. He shared with us his outline of what he intended to talk to our students about. He gave us a background of himself, shared information about the loved one he lost, and the impact the loss has had on his life. Mark’s purpose is to make people aware of how others may be feeling. He stated that if he only helps one person, he would count it as a success. However, his goal is to help many more.
After our initial meeting, Mark came back to our school, early one morning before his school day even started, just to meet with our peer-mentor group. He shared his story with the students, hoping to give his help where it was needed. Since most of our student body was still suffering the loss of their classmate, Mark’s message helped to heal some wounds. Most importantly, he wanted to reach out to our students so that we never have to go through such tragedy again. His message: reach out to those in need.
– Todd Simmons, Principal, Pewamo-Westphalia High School
Dear Mr. Scheurer,
Seeing you a few weeks ago really got me thinking. Even though we really didn’t talk, it made me realize that I have more to say: Thank You again, six years later I still need to Thank You!
What happened to my sense of reality back then is still a mystery to me and I still don’t know why I woke up when I did – but I do know that you talking to the school counselor made a huge difference.
At first I was in denial and made a few changes only because I wanted to advert the attention away from myself and then when I realized how hard it was to stop, I knew something was wrong! I was then determined for you to see I could overcome it.
You weren’t the first teacher to say something but others chose to criticize and humiliate me in front of my peers, in effect, making the situation worse. So I also thank you for your respect. I can’t imagine you knew the impact you would have and I myself am not sure why it was your concern that finally flicked that switch in my head—but it did.
It took me years to gain a better understanding of the illness and to erase all evidence of the toll it took on my body, let alone my mind. I will never be able to erase it from my past and perhaps there is no need to – I have learned a lot about myself, my strength and the incredible people God has put in my life. I will take all of that with me and have hopefully become a better person because of it.
I think I quickly mentioned at the restaurant that I now live in Houston. I moved there about six months ago after I graduated from college and immediately received a job offer from Shell Oil Company. I did a lot of school in a short amount of time and can’t imagine how things would have been different had my recovery been pushed back even for a year.
I never could have dreamt my life the way it is today but that is good thing because I would have sold myself short and set my goals far too low. I love the adventure I am currently on and for the first time, I am quite content knowing what my future holds.
I am close to my family and so enjoy visiting Michigan to see my nieces and nephews. I have to tell you that when reflecting on my past and thinking especially of my oldest niece, I pray that, should she need it (and pray she doesn’t) someone is there to do for her what you did for me!
I realize that this is probably coming out of nowhere and that when talking to the school counselor you likely had no idea you would have such a huge impact but you are in a position where you influence people every day and I just wanted to be sure that you knew just how deep that impact could go. It may not seem like much to someone on the outside, but to me, it meant so many things and I am incredibly grateful!
I hope all is well with you and your family and I wish you all the best. Keep doing what you do and know that I am forever thankful!!
– Lisa
Dear Mr. Scheurer,
I want to thank you for everything you have done for me. That one year inside your class changed me. The author paper drastically changed me, to be exact. I probably spent hours just thinking about Ned Vizzini’s life and his experiences and how they applied to me. It definitely wasn’t my best essay, but it definitely changed me more than the rest. It saved my life.
The talk I had with you is the reason that I am still here; that I am still alive. I will say this, you are the most influential person from my high school career.
– Student