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BACKGROUND
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The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson (and expanded version, The Silhouette Man ) tell
the story of a person's efforts to explore the world around him, leave
each place a little better than he found it, and the first thirty
lessons learned along the way. Greg is the real-life person upon whom the books are based.
In October 2005, he spent a couple days in Connecticut. This
part of the site has photos and links regarding Greg's trip, some of
the memorable people he met along the way, and feedback from the
speeches.
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DAY ONE
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Greg went to dinner with some staff and student leaders from University of Connecticut.
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Following dinner, he was the guest speaker at an event for a couple hundred undergraduates.
Mickeve, UConn student: "I quickly noticed how different Greg's approach was compared to other speakers...I thought that his presentation was the most interesting and influential speech. Just listening to him, sitting in that chair and [calling on others in the audience], made it seem like a group of friends just gathered up to tell stories about their lives...I thank him immensely for accepting an invitation to come to our school to speak to us..."
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After the event, there was a book signing.
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After the speech, he went out to get a milkshake. And as has become tradition when he does, hundreds of students and staff in attendance rose from their seats and went with him.
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"I just got back from the Dairy Bar [where everyone went for shakes] after the talk...his life story is truly amazing and has really made me think of my life and what I'm doing, or not doing, and how I can better it for myself and others just by asking myself how I could take another step further...going out [for the milkshakes] after Greg's talk was one of the best decisions I made in a long time...I met five really cool classmates that I know I will be good friends. Also, I found out that I have a lot in common with many of the people that attended...I thank Greg for the opportunity to hear his life story, meet new people and to improve my life, he is a true inspiration..." Thanks, Brittany, Student, UConn
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"It was standing room only at the Uconn Dairy Bar following Greg's speech. It was very clear that the students wanted to take it, 'One step further'." - Leo M. Lachut MA, Counselor, Student Support Services, Center for Academic Programs, UConn
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In advance of the visit, he wrote a guest column for the school paper.
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DAY TWO
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The next day, he visited a local high school where he spoke at an assembly, spoke briefly at an event for faculty, and guest lectured a series of classes (Contemporary Authors and Teen Leadership) where the students had read The First Thirty in advance of the visit.
He also guest lectured an Art Course and shared some of his art with the students For more on his art, go to www.MySleeplessNights.com ).
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"I personally read 'The First Thirty' earlier this year and was brought to tears on three different occasions. I knew right away that I wanted to try and make it possible for our students and staff to meet Greg. The themes of his story reinforce aspects of our mission like service, leadership and lifelong learning." - Paul Newton, Enrico Fermi High School
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During the trip, Greg also had a chance to stop by a really nice local library that had recently stocked The First Thirty.
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That night, he spoke at Asnuntuck Community College - where students in the school's First Year Experience course had been reading The First Thirty in class. At Asnuntuck, he also took part in a dinner and a book signing.
In conjunction with Greg's visit, community website www.MyTownHall.info ordered extra copies of The First Thirty to give to local students.
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Following the speech at ACC, Greg went to get another milkshake - and the audience joined him.
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"A great story of redemption and determination...a virtual case study for First Year Experience programs...a blueprint for new college students." - Amy Pszczolkowski, Office of the President and First Year Experience professor, Asnuntuck Community College
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"...We've been reading the book about Greg for my First Year Experience class and the teacher thought it would be great if the class [went to the event]. Almost everything that Greg said connected with me on a personal level, and then when he mentioned the milkshakes, I knew I was meant to be there. That's all I've been having the past two weeks because of my wisdom teeth! That worked out perfect...." - David B, Student, Asnuntuck Community College
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DAY THREE
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Greg was one of the authors who took part in Educator Appreciation Night at the local Barnes & Noble.
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"I wanted to write to thank Greg for speaking at the Barnes & Noble store last night...I found many of the lessons outlined in the book and in Greg's talk to be very insightful and inspiring....Because I found Greg's story and book so inspiring, I plan to contact [the wife of a late friend] about creating a local college scholarship to honor his memory and legacy. I've also told many of my students, family and friends about The First Thirty...I also bought a copy of the book for my nephew who is a freshman in high school, and today, I informed one of my colleagues where I teach and work about the book and Greg's speaking engagements. It is my hope that she will consider incorporating his work in our program because I believe that our students would benefit in many ways from Greg's story..." - Karen, University of Hartford
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CROSSING PATHS
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His trip provided him a chance to meet all kinds of interesting people - new friends and old. Here are pictures of some of the additional memorable people and places who crossed his path during the trip...
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"...I just wanted to say that on the walk to get milkshakes [after the event], I met [a classmate]. It was really nice meeting her and we have a lot in common and I hope to be friends with her. We talked about so much and learned a lot about each other in the two minutes it took for the walk, and it's all [because] Greg asked us to walk with someone we have never met before..." -- Truly, Elizabeth, Student, Asnuntuck Community College - CT
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"I [got the book last night after the event and already] finished it this morning. The thirty life lessons in there, are truly priceless pieces of advice that I'll keep for a long time to come. My first thoughts after reading the book? Well, I couldn't stop laughing, at some of the stuff Greg has done over the years. In a word, the account of his life so far, is just outright nutty! But that's actually a good thing...because when I finished reading it, I came away with this thought: "Sometimes it takes being a little nutty, to make sense in a nutty world"...He has a true gift for shaking things up, and inspiring people to make a difference no matter what road in life they walk on. I honestly don't know what I can do yet... but I'm doing a lot more thinking now than I did before I heard him speak last night... " David, Student, Asnuntuck Community College - CT
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"...very inspirational. I don't believe a single person in the room would have called it a 'lecture'...I loved his story." Michelle, High school student, CT
"Greg's story was great! We talked about it in my teen leadership class. All I heard was great feedback. I'm looking forward to reading the book!" - Taylor, High school student, CT
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BOOK & POSTER ORDERING INFORMATION
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To see the posters, please visit www.GregForbes.com, click Welcome, click Posters To order copies of the book or workbook for your company, organization, class or on behalf of students in your area, email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com
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WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION
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Special thanks to the event organizers, the groups on campus that co-sponsored the events, Collins Creamery and UConn Dairy Bar - and to all the students and faculty and local residents who attended the events and welcomed me so warmly to their towns and schools. - greg To email Greg, please email us at GregsUpdate@gmail.com
To ask about booking an event, email us at Events@GregForbes.com
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Copyright & TM 1996-2009. IdeaList Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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