STUDENT LETTERS & EMAILS
Jon makes his best effort to personally write back to every student who writes to him. The following are samples from student letters and emails to Jon over the past five years:
Hey Jon,
I was so impressed by your speech at CSLC. You are an incredible speaker, I swear to God! Listening to you is not a bore at all. You are the only speaker I’ve ever met that can keep me awake even without a wink. You are amazing. Thank you so much.
~Delegate from Congressional Student Leadership Conference
Washington DC
Hi Jon,
So if you check the date on this reply, it has taken me 2 years to write you again. I can’t even begin what to say. It's so long ago... but there was a reason why I saved this email for so long. I just wanna say… THANK YOU! I currently attend the University of Waterloo and I still perform. Your advice has actually carried on to me for a while. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
~Delegate from Ontario Student Council Federation Grand Finale
Toronto, ON
Dear Jon,
I just wanted to say that I was at the NJLC and I heard your speech about dream setting. I just wanted to thank you for showing me how to take charge of my life. I think about what you said and I feel more and more confident that my dream is coming closer and closer to reality. Thanks again. You are a very inspirational person and I will always remember what you said that day. Thanks again.
~Delegate from National Junior Leadership Conference
Washington DC
Hey Jon,
I feel kinda weird emailing you seeing as you have no idea who I am, but I just wanted to let you know that I really liked your presentation today! It was weird because it actually made me think, and wanna pay attention, when usually I zone right out in those kinda things. Well I hope this email gets to you. Feel free to write back, if not I understand. You’re a busy guy from the sounds of things. Haha.
~Student at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School
St. Thomas, ON
Dear Jon,
I would like to take this opportunity to say what an amazing job you did at HOBY. You were so inspirational and really started me thinking about my dream. I told all of my friends about your spectacular presentation. The part I enjoyed the most was how you told stories from when you were our age, which was not that long ago so we could all really relate to what you were saying. Once again, you did a great job. Having such a high energy level really helped us to get into what you were saying as well. Thank you.
~Delegate from Western Washington HOBY
Issaquah, WA
Hey Jon,
I go to Notre Dame, in Ajax. I listened the whole way through your speech. Your words were amazing. I can't stop thinking about everything you said. You've really inspired me in life, in everything, and I'm just SO amazed with your words. If you're ever speaking out this way again, I'd love to come. You've changed my life, Jon. I'll always remember that. Thank you.
~Student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Ajax, ON
Thanks for your engaging presentation. I heard you speak at Westmount Secondary School in Hamilton. I recognized in myself the preoccupation with the media and body image that you said many teenage girls experience. How can I overcome this to feel better about myself and become more confident?
~Student at Westmount Secondary School
Hamilton, ON
Hi Jon,
I attended the Defense and Intelligence conference this past summer and had the tremendous opportunity to hear you speak. I would like to commend you for a job well done and your continuing efforts to teach kids to dream. Not only did you teach us to envision our dreams, but you also showed me and many of my peers how to grab hold of our dreams and make them happen. Thanks again for investing your time in our generation. It’s people like you that make this world a better place to grow up in!
~Delegate from Defense and Intelligence Leadership Conference
Arlington, VA
Hello Jon,
How are you? I am student from Marshall McLuhan Secondary. You came to speak to my school. I just wanted to say thanks a lot man, you are inspiring - for real. You have instilled something in me that will help me get where i want to be. I won't forget it, man. Thanks a lot. Real inspiration, man. Amazing.
~Student at Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School
Toronto, ON
Hi Jon!
I just wanted to thank you for coming to Peoria Notre Dame and speaking to us. You truly are an inspiration to me and I know that people from Snowball and at the assembly got something for your talk. For me to see someone so young and accomplishing their dreams, it gives me hope and hope in our society. Lately I have just felt somewhat hopeless with what our society portrays and the way people act. I'm glad there is someone out there spreading the message that you are. Snowball is truly and amazing program that I am proud to be a part of. I hope you had a good time and I hope to keep in touch. Thanks again.
~Student at Peoria Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Peoria, IL
Hello Jon,
I know you probably don’t remember me, but I sure remember you. You changed my life in a really good way. You made me think about my future goals and my dreams. I know I want to be a marine biologist when I get older. I would really like to thank you because you have helped me in a huge way.
~Delegate from National Junior Leadership Conference
Washington DC
Hey Jon,
I just thought I would email you and let you know that your speech had a huge effect on me. I was sitting in the very front…probably your right side of the gym. Before hearing you, I wasn’t really sure of what I wanted to do but I feel like I have more things to choose from instead of just one. Anyways, thanks a lot for coming today and your speech really did help a lot.
~Student at Kennedy Collegiate Secondary School
Windsor, ON
Jon,
You are my idol!! You made realize that not matter how high your goals seem, they can be achieved. I wanted to ask if you could send me a picture signed by you. Please. Thank you!!
~Delegate from Western Washington HOBY
Issaquah, WA
Hi Jon,
Last week you were at my school and gave a presentation that I really enjoyed. You are an extremely positive person and I enjoyed being in your presence. I respect people such as you, and I could very relate towards the way you see things in life, though only if others could see the same!!! You made me open my mind and realize a lot of things and I thank you for that.
~~Student at Lakeshore Catholic Secondary School
Niagara Falls, ON
Hey Jon,
I haven't yet spoken to you since the CSLC way back in July. However, I have been making great progress on becoming a musician. I have become a regular guitar player at the cafe that I live near in New Jersey. Thanks a lot for all of your inspiration!
~Delegate from the Congressional Student Leadership Conference
Washington DC
Hi Jon,
I just wanted to say that you did a really good job when u were at Grimsby Secondary School, and you really made me think about what I might want to do with my future. Thanks.
~Student at Grimsby Secondary School
Niagara Falls, ON
Dear Jon Callegher Communications,
I attended Lead America's Congressional Student Leadership Conference last summer where I heard Jon's inspiring message about dream setting. I respect Jon's gift and his ability to accept that grateful gift. He has influenced me with the club that I have been planning to create since the summer 2004. I am planning to form a school club named "The Dream Setters' Club" in which I hope to let the peers' perspectives on life grow positively and to dream indefinitely (which I consider as the direct path to success). I strongly want Jon to visit our school to influence my peers on the importance of DREAM setting and DREAMing with a positive attitude.
~Delegate Student from Congressional Student Leadership Conference
Arlington, VA
Jon,
As a Junior Coordinator who has attended HOBY three times (once as an ambassador and twice as a JC), I really enjoyed you presentation and felt that the ambassadors got a lot out of your presentation, as well as the JCs and Facilitators. Thank you for your time and efforts and I look forward to hearing you at World Youth Day this summer!
~Junior Coordinator at Kansas North HOBY
Manhattan, KS
Hi Jon,
I am a student in grade 10 at Marshall McLuhan CSS. You gave us a motivational presentation today, which I must say was pretty good. My dream has always been to become the Prime Minister of Canada, and to make a big difference in the world, or even just in politics, and that goal seems closer now, more than ever.
~Student at Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School
Toronto, ON
Hey Jon,
I just wanted to say thanks for coming in to our school today (Notre Dame CSS - Nov 24). I had a lot of questions on my mind, especially about my religion, and you inspired me to come forward with those questions to my parents later on. I found out that they shared my concerns and we talked for a long time about religion and life in general. I learned so much about my parents that I didn't know before. I still have a lot to sort out, but I just wanted to say thanks for getting me to take that first step and to start asking questions about what's been on my mind.
~Student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Ajax, ON
Hi Mr Callegher!
How are you? You came to my school yesterday; Notre Dame in Ajax. Anyways, I just wanted to tell you I really enjoyed the time you spent with us, it was fun and it wasn’t boring like all those other people. I’m kidding, but thank you. Alright, talk to you later.
~Student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Ajax, ON
Jon,
I don’t know if this will reach you but I really hope it does. Today you gave a presentation to our school. I totally related to everything you said. Lately I was feeling so insignificant and life seemed more meaningless and empty everyday. Hearing you speak sent chills down my spine. I hope I can find my place in a world I often feel disconnected from. Thanks again for the inspiration.
~Student at Holy Names Catholic Secondary School
Windsor, ON
Jon,
You are an awesome speaker. You have the ability to make an impact on people’s lives, as you did mine. Before you talked to us, I vaguely thought about my dreams and goals in life. For some reason, I never really thought I could accomplish my major ones because they seemed to be so out of reach. Now I realize that was all in my head. So thank you very much. You are an awesome person who can touch many lives.
~Delegate from Kansas North HOBY
Manhattan, KS
Hello Jon,
I was at the assembly on November 24 at the Notre Dame Catholic High School. I found that you really know your stuff. I had a great time listening to your speech. I really enjoyed the section on the advertisements. Whenever I watch the commercials on TV, I get offended and disgusted. Anyway, I agree with many of the points and issues you talked about.
I have also been told by siblings, friends and my parents that a relationship at this age is not important and that even if you have one, it’s not really serious. What do you think about having relationships in high school and do you agree with them?
~Student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Ajax, ON
Hey Jon,
I am a graduate who has returned for one semester to take a co-op class. Anyways, I thought your presentation was great! I never really saw anything like that before. I thought the way that you portrayed females in our society compared to celebrities was great. I think that's a major issue that needs to be discussed more often especially with teenage girls and their body image. Everyone I talked to loved your presentation and I think you truly are an inspiration for many people.
~Student at Lakeshore Catholic Secondary School
Niagara Falls, ON
Mr. Callegher,
I have indeed leased out your CD to be used to one of my mom's fellow teachers and have contemplated arranging the opportunity for you to come to Jesuit in being a College Preparatory School these kids could use an encouraging word that really gave me the jump start i needed.
In your taught format, I have a designated and growing wall of each dream I will accomplish over the course of my lifetime and I would like to sincerely thank you for your dedication and enlightening speech that inspired me to take the initiative and start my future now. You are an inspiration and a hero to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
~Student at Jesuit College Preparatory School
Dallas, TX
Hey Jon!
I really enjoyed that presentation, you established at our school. Wow, a really good speaker, to wake up all the students that are usually sleeping at some of those assemblies. Hehe! But what can I say, you’re a really good motivator.
~Student at Grimsby Secondary school
Niagara Falls, ON
Hey Jon!
You came to my school, RMC, today to give a speech. I really enjoyed it. I'd like to thank you a lot because it really got me thinking. You came at the right time because lately I've been thinking a lot about God and the Bible and what it means to love God. The message I got from your speech is that God is everywhere in everything, so just by loving and respecting others, you show God that you love him. You also mentioned that everyone has a seed inside them. How do I know what my seed is? How can I discover what God wants me to do in life?
~Student at Regina Mundi Catholic Secondary School
London, ON
Hi Jon
I am a student at St. Joseph's High school. I just wanted to let you know that you presentation was amazing! Your opinions on life and God are incredible and your speaking abilities are amazing. You really made me think about how vulnerable our minds are to the media around us and how easily we can be sucked into that world of perfection that is everywhere. Thanks for coming and doing that for us.
~Student at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School
Windsor, ON
Mr. Callegher,
Thank you for your belief in me. I have met so many people in my life who have told me that my dreams were impossible, that I wouldn’t make it. But then I went to HOBY and heard you speak – believe in my dream and don’t let it die. Thank you for your wonderful suggestions. You will never know how much you have impacted my life as well as my future.
~Delegate from Iowa HOBY
Lamoni, IA
Hello Jon,
You were at our school and I just wanted to say that your discussion about dream setting really got me thinking about my future. In the last couple of months, I’ve really been slacking off on my work, but today I realized that the only person I’m hurting is myself. So I went home today, got organized, and got down back to business. I just want you to know that I appreciate what you’ve done, because I’ve heard the same type of talks from my parents, etc. But when you said it, for some reason it really sank in.
~Student at Kennedy Collegiate Secondary School
Windsor, ON
Jon,
Your message today really touched my heart. I think about the goals and passions that I have had in life and for the most part I feel I have meet or am working towards them. However in the last couple of months I have felt called or drawn to living a deeper more enriching life. The strange thing is I am not sure where that is. I have always felt called to serve and help other people. I realize that I have many gifts and talents within myself and today you brought forth many old positive memories for me. The fire that is within me had gone out and now I want to show it to others. The scary thing for me is listening and searching where that is, but with time I know I will find out.
~Student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Peoria, IL
Hello Jon!
You came to our school for a talk, and it was fantastic! We have heard that message over and over before, but never in the way you put it! You brought up so many points that I know will always stay with me. I was talking to my friends after the presentation, and they all loved it just as much as I did!
I think you are doing a great job!
~Student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Ajax, ON
Jon,
Thank you for writing back. I appreciate you taking the time to read my email. I hope you come back next year! Taking your knowledgeable words to heart has already helped by giving me a different way of seeing myself and the people around me. You are truly an amazing person!
~Student at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School
Windsor, ON
Hello Jon,
You came to my school today for a lecture. I was one of the eight girls who came up to you after you had finished speaking to the seniors. I just wanted to say that I was deeply touched and moved by what you had to say to my classmates and I. Everything that you have said today was absolutely right. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for coming to St. Joe's, and sharing your message. I know a lot of my classmates feel the same way. Good luck in everything you do.
~Student at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School
Windsor, ON
Dear Mr. Callegher,
Thank you so much for speaking to us this weekend. Your presentation was so upbeat and lively. I was so tired on that day, but when you were through speaking I was so inspired that I wanted to begin then! I hope you never stop what you’re doing. Continue helping others that are lost in their direction like I was.
This weekend has been full of emotion. For the first time in my life I’ve figured out what I want to be. It’s so exciting. I’m sure that now my future holds nothing but happiness.
~ Delegate from Kansas North HOBY
Manhattan, KS
Jon,
This is a student from Westmount. I would like to say that you helped me change something in my life. I am already thinking the way you are but I don’t have the smarts like you yet. Well, I’m justing write to say that you gave an awesome speech and I took it in a big way. Thank you for helping some of those people out there.
~Student at Westmount Secondary School
Hamilton, ON
Hi Jon,
You were at my school today and I was inspired by your presentation that I should do something with my life instead of just seeing what is going to happen. I want to thank you for that. I want to achieve my dream which is to be the first person in my family to attend university and follow through. I want to be an accountant and thanks to you I am now going to try and achieve that goal. So thanks a lot, and if you want, you can email me back with some suggestions you might have for me. Thanks again.
~Student at St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School
Windsor, ON
Hey Jon,
I just wanted to drop you a line to tell you how much I appreciated you talking to us last summer at the CSLC. I had a dream that I was pursuing before the CSLC but after hearing you speak I believe it was more possible to achieve than ever. So thank you.
~Delegate from Congressional Student Leadership Conference
Washington DC
Jon,
Today during second period (which is my spare), instead of going out with my friends like we normally do, I was compelled to come to your presentation. This whole thing had me wrapped up! I was completely caught up with what you said and many, well, mostly everyone was. A lot of people talked about it during lunch.
This past week, everything turned upside down and it was like life told me to give up on everything and just settle for what I could. But then by chance you came this day, not any other day but today. You helped me realize that a lot of those things that I thought held me down really meant not as much as I thought, that I shouldn’t give up. In other words, this is a thank you from me for the amazing presentation.
~Student at Holy Names Catholic Secondary School
Windsor, ON
Jon,
As soon as I got to my school I immediately went to my counselor and told her that we absolutely needed to get you to come speak at our school. You really inspired me at HOBY and inspired me to follow my dream and never give up.
~Delegate from Iowa HOBY
Lamoni, IA
Jon,
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for helping me sort things out in my head. Before hearing you speak, I had no idea what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go later in life. But your presentation really helped me out. I now have goals and dreams. I am only 16, so they are not set in stone, but I have an extremely good base. I really admire you and thank you for helping me.
~Delegate from Kansas North HOBY
Manhattan, KS
Jon,
The words you spoke at HOBY still have an impact on me today. I have been working hard at a goal I set and I am proud that I’ve kept up with it this summer. You’re right, writing it down makes me more motivated to strive and complete my goal. Thank you so much for being such a positive influence in my life. I hope you have a wonderful summer – hopefully not too busy. Thank you for your time and good luck with everything. Take care.
~Delegate from Western Washington HOBY
Issaquah, WA
Jon,
My Honors English teacher said, “To be successful, you must discover what your ruling passion in life is.” I completely agree. My ruling passion is an undying love of political science and government. I can’t describe my true and full passion for it. It enraptures me and excites me to no end. To get into politics, I know that many obstacles and many sacrifices will be made. But the end goal is worth it. Jon, thanks again for some great motivational words at CSLC. You really made me think about my future.
~Delegate from Congressional Student Leadership Conference
Washington DC
Hi Jon!
I don’t know if you remember us or not, but we just wanted to write you and thank you sooooooooooo much for letting us get up in front of everyone at NJLC and sing. We may have messed up but we still got three standing ovations! Haha. Thanks to you we have a lot more confidence in ourselves when we stand up in front of people. Thanks soooooooooo much again. You don’t know how much it meant to us!
~Delegates from National Junior Leadership Conference
Washington DC
Hey Jon!
I just wanted to say hi and thank you sooooo much for taking time out of your busy schedule to come spend the weekend with us in Peoria! I got a lot of positive feedback about your presentation. Everyone really enjoyed it!!!
~Student at Peoria Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Peoria, IL
Hey Jon,
The following is a letter that I will be submitting to my school’s administration:
Attached is the outline and responses to a very talented speaker that I think would be beneficial to include in this year’s agenda. His name is Jon Callegher and I first heard him speak when I attended the Congressional Student Leadership Conference in August of 2003. His presentation was more motivational than any I have experienced in all of my life. They way Jon connects with the youth of America is a gift given to few.
As a college prep school, we strive to build leaders, and Jon’s presentation is a wonderful tool to do so. His presentation not only affected me but also many of my CSLC companions. There were people doing a total 180 in a matter of hours, others in tears, and many rejoicing because they finally realized so many positive things about themselves and their lives. This experience is one that I hope students at Archbishop McCarthy High School will have a chance to encounter, and one that I know the students will respond to.
~Delegate from Congressional Student Leadership Conference
Washington DC