What Happens When You Slow Down and Really Listen to a 2nd Grader

Today, thanks to the generosity of the Matson Family and Twin City Tire & Service, Dorian spent the day in three 2nd-grade classrooms in Holden.

Every student got to meet him, hear his story, listen to his book, and talk about the important stuff—favorite birthday cake flavors, sports they love to play, and (in one classroom) a lively conversation about Unspeakable.

At one point, Dorian shared that one of his first fundraisers was a lemonade stand he ran with his grandfather. Almost immediately, hands went up. Kids started chiming in about the fundraisers they had done—lemonade stands, bake sales, helping neighbors, raising money for causes they cared about. It turned into a moment of comparing notes, not teaching from the front of the room. You could see the pride on their faces as they realized they weren’t “too young” to make a difference. That spark—that recognition that their ideas and actions already matter—was something special to witness.

After each reading, Dorian signed books for every student. He didn’t rush it. He wrote something a little different in each one—making eye contact, asking a quick question, sharing a smile, and having small moments of conversation as he signed. Watching kids realize this book is mine never gets old.

Every classroom we’ve visited has its own kind of magic. But they all tend to end the same way: high-fives, hugs, kids with a twinkle in their eye, and a teacher quietly whispering, “thank you.” One teacher mentioned they’re currently working through a leadership module and shared that this visit fit perfectly into what they’re teaching.

Another layer of meaning came from the teachers themselves. Two of them were Dorian's rec counselors when he was five. He was so excited to remind them how much he loved playing Legos with his friends back then. Those full-circle moments hit you right in the heart.

In every classroom, we got to say, “You know Maddox? His family donated this book.” The response was simple and sincere—smiles, a little clapping, and a feeling of gratitude that filled the room.

Before we left the building, Dorian asked if he could see Maddox. The principal kindly walked us down the hall and said, “Maddox, there’s a special guest here to see you.” From around the corner we heard, “Oh—I know who that is!” They hugged, shook hands, and talked about the classroom visits like two kids who understood exactly what the day meant.

Two families. One shared belief in building strong community.

At the end of the book, it says “to be continued…” The kids wanted to know what that meant. Dorian smiled and said, “There’s another book coming.”

It’s easy to forget how much it means to a child when someone slows down, looks them in the eye, and treats their words as if they matter—when they’re shown they can be leaders, practice kindness, and have real impact, right where they are.

If this story made you smile and you or your business would like to sponsor a 2nd-grade classroom, reach out. We’d love to keep inspiring kids to see themselves as leaders, strengthen their classrooms, and see where it all leads next. 💛