April 2, 2004

Whitney Ingersoll

Community Dean

Santa Barbara Middle School

2300 A Garden Street

Santa Barbara, CA  93105

Dear Whitney,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you enjoyed a relaxing spring break. 

I wanted to be sure to get you a copy of the enclosed group photo from the top of Mt. Orizaba.  I also wanted to take another opportunity to sing the praises of you and your group.  I am very thankful that I got to work with all of you.  I truly enjoyed spending time with you and your students.  The students, by the way, are fantastic.  You already know this.  They are a very positive reflection on you and on the education they are getting at Santa Barbara Middle School.

The students were enthusiastic and appreciative.  I am truly glad to have been able to spend some time getting to know them.  They were a very positive reflection on the education that they are getting at Santa Barbara Middle School.  I feel like a better person simply for having known this handful of students.  Please know that they represented their school admirably and that they are a credit to you and to Santa Barbara Middle School.

I have to admit that I was a little bit sad to see all of you shrinking into the distance on your boat.  But, I have many happy memories that I will keep with me always.  I look forward to the time when our paths cross again.

Once again, I’d like to express my gratitude for the group of amazing individuals that I was fortunate to work with.

Tell everyone I think of them often.  (I have your group photo on my office computer as the screen saver.)  You guys rock!

Thanks for everything!

Naturally,

Rich Zanelli

Catalina Island Conservancy, Education