Speaking Responses
Dear John & Meg: I do not know you personally, but have
certainly followed all the wonderful things you have done in memory of
your daughter Katie. I recently read about the Community Heroes Honor
that you received. I was happy to see that your hard work is
appreciated. My son just completed the driver's ed course through CCRI
and we have had many talks regarding making responsible decisions, etc.
I think you were probably instrumental in getting the information to the
driver's ed classes. I want to thank you for this and for helping all of
us in opening up and talking to our children about responsible
decisions. I am so very sorry that your daughter was not given the same
opportunities because of her tragic death. I can only say that I thank
you for taking this faith challenging situation and turning it into a
positive learning experience for everyone else. I do believe that your
hard work is paying off.
Sincerely,
Ann Rudman
My name is Ashlee, and I am a junior at Mt. Hope High School
where John and Meg recently spoke. I would just love to thank you all
for that amazing experience. I really felt like I knew Katie after this,
and it touched me more than I ever expected it to. I know nothing can
take the place of what you feel, but having this memorial and speaking
to other students is really, really amazing. I feel truly honored to be
touched by your family. Everyone in school is wearing the crystal
strength bracelets, and the bumper stickers are on almost every car in
the student parking lot. It really means a lot to all of us. I really
don’t know how to thank you enough. I am just extremely speechless.
Everything you have done is truly astonishing. I love you all. I feel a
connection even though I have only known about you for a few hours.
Katie will always be in my heart, and every time I make a decision, she
will always be there as a guide. Once again, thank you so much for
coming to our school.
Ashlee
Hi. My name is Kevin and on Wednesday April 7th The Katie
DeCubellis Foundation came to visit my school at Mt Hope High School. It
was one of the most moving presentations I have ever seen in my life,
and I would like to thank you very much for it.
Thank You Again,
Kevin
Hello, my name is Keith,
Today, you came to Pilgrim High School and talked about your daughter’s
incident with drunk driving. My deepest sympathy for all who were
effected by this. Your story was very powerful, and unknowingly, when I
walk from Warwick Mall to RI Mall, I had always wondered who the cross
was for.
Throughout today’s assembly, I tried putting myself in the shoes of you,
her parents, friends, and even Katie herself. It really hit me, as of
waking up the next day and not seeing one of my siblings, or going to
school, with that empty desk. I give MUCH credit to her parents, as well
as everyone who knew her. Thinking about this unfortunate night is
unbearable enough, never mind the mission you are on to help prevent
accidents like this, and talk about your experiences repeatedly. I will
continue to wear the bracelet given out in her honor to remember this
tragedy and in remembrance of Katie.
An inspired and touched Listener,
Keith
May/7/2004
I would like to thank you for taking the time to talk to me and the rest
of the students of the westerly high school. I used to live in
Narragansett and I went to the pier school when Katie was in 7th grade I
was in 6th. I really didn’t get to know her but I heard the name hanging
around with my friends. I also like Katie like to help people. I'm a
member of the westerly ambulance and I just finished my EMT class. Once
again I would like to thank you for your time.
Ricky
The DeCubellis Family,
Thank you so much for coming to our school today and sharing your story
with
us. It was truly touching. I have one question Did Katie ever swim for
the South County YMCA swim team? Well thanks again for coming to the
school. I wish you and your family the best of luck with all the
obstacles that come your way.
Christina
John and Meg, I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to help people
realize the seriousness of drunk driving. I am a junior at westerly high
school. Today you spoke to the junior and senior class at my school, and
I just wanted to say thank you. Your hard work is making people more
aware of the consequences of drinking and driving. I do believe that
what you are doing is saving many lives; mine, people close to me, and
even people I don’t even know. Making people see the consequences of
making bad decisions will help them make better ones in the future, and
that saves lives. I cannot imagine how hard it must be talking about
Katie all the time to strangers. I wanted to tell you that I appreciate
your courage, dedication and strength.
Thank you so very much.
Bethany
Dear Mr. & Mrs. DeCubellis,
Hi my name is Victoria. You came to my school and talked to me and my
classmates. I go to Westerly High School and I'm a senior. First of all
I would like to say I am very sorry for what happened. I think you guys
are very brave to have a foundation for Katie. Most people couldn’t
handle all this because it would bring back memories and all the sad
times. Also a lot of people couldn’t have done what you guys did,
spoke/speak to schools. I just wanted to also say good luck with the
whole situation on the guy trying to get out. I think that guy is just
wrong for doing what he is trying to do. Katie was only 13 when she
died, he is still living and he is 38. He got to go to his senior prom,
maybe have kid(s) and have a good time in his life. Katie never got the
opportunity. He is just messed up and has no sympathy. I think he should
be in jail for the rest of his life. He killed a 13 year old girl and
another lady which happened to be somebody’s mom. Now a young girl has
to be without her mom. It really makes me angry that he is trying to get
out. You think!!! He wouldn’t be like this. He is VERY lucky he didn’t
get life in jail. I think he should have. Katie and Marsha did nothing
at all to him!! Katie was only 13 yrs old, she didn’t get to enjoy a lot
of stuff, because she was killed by a drunk driver, that chose to get
behind the wheel and drive drunk. I just wish he would understand in
some way, you only got 14 yrs. in jail. You should have gotten life for
taking two peoples live because you made a poor decision. Granted I know
people make poor decisions in life and people make mistakes but still. I
mean at least have some sympathy and take your 14 yrs. It just makes me
so mad i could write about this forever. Katie kind of seems like me in
some ways. I am just not even close to how bright she is though. I
always care a great deal for young kids and under privileged kids.
Matter a fact for half of my school day i go to an elementary school
(tower St.) and work with kids there. I love it to death!! I used to
want to be a pediatrician, but i for one couldn’t afford to go to school
for it and I’m not smart enough for it. Katie seemed to care for like
everybody that’s kind of like me. If she was still around we would be
around the same age. My birthday is October27th (1986). Today i saw a
white butterfly and i thought of her. Well I’m going to let you go i
just wanted to say i am terribly sorry and good luck with the whole case
thing. I hope this sounds good, it is just about 12 o'clock at night.
Have a good day and good luck.... and thanks for talking to our school.
Once i get a car I’m going to hang the "crystal" bracelet around my rear
view mirror. Thanks!
Victoria
John and Meg, I was at Westerly High School last Friday and witnessed your testimony
about drinking and driving. I just wanted to let the whole family know
how moving and how much it meant to me that you guys have the courage to
get up and talk about that accident. I myself had a friend who was a
senior at the time killed by a drunk driver so I relate very much to how
you feel. Katie’s friend that you spoke about that was in the car with
her also meant a great deal to me. I wanted to relay this message to her
someway that she is the type of person that I strive to be. And
everything that was shown in those videos about her just moved me. So if
there is someway I could contact her and let her know about how great of
a person I feel that she is please contact me.
Thank you.
Jes
John,
As you know, I was among the group at the Yacht Club tonight. I wanted
to thank you for a very moving and thought-provoking presentation. I
truly believe that you and Meg are making a difference in educating and
preventing other tragedies. I can't begin to imagine what your family has
experienced and continue to live through every day. Our hearts are with
you!
Lori
Hello, my name is Aria.
I am a sophomore at Classical High school and am a member of our
S.A.D.D. group. Today, you came to Classical and I was extremely touched
by everything you presented to us. I found one thing very interesting,
though. You said that Katie wanted to go to Brown Medical School and
become a pediatrician ever since she was little. At that point, I felt a
personal connection to her because I've had that same goal ever since I
was little. I didn't know Katie, but from everything you said about her
I know the world lost a great girl who made a difference and who
would've been a great, patient, and caring pediatrician. I will think of
her always, keeping in mind her dreams, and making it a point to follow
mine and work hard at making those dreams come true. I know Katie would
have, too. Thank You for sharing your story and opening up your, and
Katie's life to us.
Sincerely,
Aria
Dear John and Meg
I am in Dr. Robin Reed's "Substance Troubled Person" class and I want to
thank you for sharing your incredible journey with us last night. I am
inspired by your courage and dedication to reach so far beyond the call
of duty in the face of your overwhelming pain and loss. I shared your
sad and beautiful story with my 11 year old daughter and she was glad to
hear about all that you are doing to help make this world a better
place.
With gratitude,
Alexis
Decubellis family-
Thank you so much for coming to present in our class at URI last Tuesday
night. I have never felt so touched to hear such a story. I myself have
always tried to keep the people around me away from driving under the
influence. I am probably one of the only friends I have that will not
even have one drink and drive hours later, I've just never believed in
driving while intoxicated. Watching your videos really made me want to
do something to take action. Your videos were so inspirational and real,
I have never seen anything that gets the message out there in such a
touching way. I would love to see if it is possible to get your videos
into the Connecticut school systems (that is where I am from). I plan on
talking with school superintendents about the issue if it is alright
with you. I know you are extremely busy spreading your message
throughout Rhode Island; however, I feel that bringing the message
(through your videos) into another state would be extremely beneficial.
I talked with my younger brother about your story. He is eleven years
old, but it seems like he’s going on 30. He would love to take part and
do whatever possible to help get your message out, along with myself. It
is such an important issue and I feel that your videos covered it more
than I have ever seem before, and I'm almost 22 so I've definitely seen
my share of videos. If you could get back to me whenever you have the
chance I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for you time.
Ashley
Thought that the presentation that was given today at Barrington High School was very meaningful and it most importantly depicted the horrid effects that drunk driving can have on a person, family, or community. Through the videos, it made the audience become more aware of the ugly dangers of drunk driving and how it can unfortunately come across anyone’s path without warning. I think this presentation delivered an important message that stayed with many that viewed it.
Hello, I'm Jon and last night I saw your presentation at URI (I'm a freshman
student there). I was really moved. I heard Mr. DeCubellis say that he has a
strong faith. I also am a man of faith and I had a feel that I should do
something, though I'm not sure what I can do.… If you'd like maybe
there's something that I could do…. If you can come up with something
I'd be more than happy to do what I can.
Sincerely, Jonathan
Hi, I’m a student at the university of Rhode Island and I recently
attended the presentation here at URI. I thought it was an amazing
presentation and I told some administration from back home in Illinois
about it. I just would like to say that the presentation was by far the
most moving, and meaningful presentation I’ve ever been to and I would
like to say thank you for that. back home I have lost many friends due
to drunk driving accidents and I think if my high school would have seen
the presentation that I saw, some of my friends would still be alive.
Thanks. Chelc
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Decubellis,
Hi, you spoke at a life night up at holy apostles on Sunday December 5,
2004. I just wanted to let you know that I was very touched by your
speech. After hearing you speak I went home and prayed for your family.
I am looking forward to hearing you speak again at Cranston West.
Sincerely, Casey from Holy Apostles
Dear Mr. and Mrs. DeCubellis
You came to my school, Barrington High in October or November. It really
gave everyone a wake up call, and it would be very hard for someone to
walk out of school that day to go and drink. It touched everyone, and
there wasn't a dry eye even in the next period class. On Saturday, the
11th, there was the Snow Ball at our school. The police came because one
girl was drunk. They had no idea how many other people were also. The
next Monday, in Spanish class, I heard a kid next to me say how he came
to the dance drunk, along with a bunch of his friends. He was saying how
his friend Jake is "the best drunk driver he's ever seen." I wanted to
hit him. Although your presentation was a few months ago, it should have
stuck in their heads. I thought people wouldn't drink and drive,
especially after seeing what happened to your daughter. I don't
understand why people drink, because all it does is make you feel good
for a minute, and then it can result in death. My friend who is a senior
(I am a freshman), has never drank or smoked, or anything in her life. I
want to be like her in 3 years. I want to be able to say that I have
never done anything like that. So far, I can.
I'm so sorry about what happened to Katie, and it's great that you can
tell everyone about it. You are so brave. I wish more people could
understand what results in "just a few drinks," but it might take a
death close to them to realize how much pain they will cause.
Thank you for visiting our school. Even if you only prevented one person
from drinking and driving one time, you made a difference, right?
Rest in Peace. K.D. M.B. also, Scott Gorham
Sincerely, Brenna R.
Hello, My name is Renee and I am a junior at LaSalle Academy. You
guys recently came to LaSalle to speak to us about your daughter and the
dangers of drinking and driving. I just wanted to say that i was very
touched by this presentation. I am very sorry for your loss and that I
think that it is great that you guys can go out and speak to teens like
us.
Thank you for speaking to us and I wish you the best of luck with your
foundation : )You guys really touched me that morning and I just wanted
to let you know how I felt.
Hello,
My name is Adam. I remember about four or five years ago that you spoke
at Moses Brown. I just wanted to say that I still think of you, your
son, and Katie often. I keep a handout that you gave that day in the
back pocket of my pants to this day so that I will always remember
Katie. Your talk that day was incredibly moving and left the entire
school silent and reflective. I am sure that to this day Katie has left
a mark on everyone in that room and only for the better. I wish your
family the very best.
Adam
John & Meg
Thank you and your wife for visiting our school last week. I can't
remember in 30 years a high school assembly where the students were
absolutely captivated for 85 minutes. You truly captured their attention
and had an immense impact on them. The students continued to talk about
the assembly and how moved they were and how it effected them and their
future decision making. Thank you again for making a difference in the
lives of our students. I thank you not only as a teacher but also as a
parent. I applaud you for creating something positive from the
unthinkable. I know Katie is proud and watching and guiding you. I
cannot thank you enough for sharing your experience with us. Please
continue the message - it is important and being heard. Denise
North Smithfield High School
