Elvis teaches Las Animas students about ‘righting wrongs’
Donald
”
Elvis
”
Prieto and his friend Dottie Stewart recently spoke to a crowd
of more than 600 students, parents and teachers at Las Animas
Elementary School about
”
righting wrongs.
”
As part of the school’s ‘PeaceBuilder’ program, Las Animas holds
monthly assemblies focusing on non-violent problem resolution, and
how to role model positive behavior. During each assembly, a guest
from the community is invited to speak on a topic that ties in with
themes recited each morning by the students in their PeaceBuilder
Pledge.
Elvis teaches Las Animas students about ‘righting wrongs’
Donald “Elvis” Prieto and his friend Dottie Stewart recently spoke to a crowd of more than 600 students, parents and teachers at Las Animas Elementary School about “righting wrongs.” As part of the school’s ‘PeaceBuilder’ program, Las Animas holds monthly assemblies focusing on non-violent problem resolution, and how to role model positive behavior. During each assembly, a guest from the community is invited to speak on a topic that ties in with themes recited each morning by the students in their PeaceBuilder Pledge.
“This month, we’ve been focusing students on the concept of righting wrongs,” said Las Animas teacher, Maria Gonzalez. “Of all our PeaceBuilder concepts, this is the most difficult one for students to grasp. The concept goes beyond righting something you did wrong, but seeing a problem with your community, and working toward a solution.”
Stewart then spoke of “righting a wrong” within our community. She spoke of a “special gift” she gave to a friend.
Ten years ago, Stewart became friends with Donald Prieto, best known for his Elvis impersonations. Prieto, now 40, had a failing kidney due to Type-1 diabetes, a condition he’s had since he was 7. Without a transplant, Prieto had to undergo dialysis, and take as many as 78 pills a day.
Stewart carefully explained to the students how we have two kidneys, but we can live with just one. “If you remove one kidney,” explained Stewart, “your body does something very special. It starts working harder, to make up for the other kidney. So, you can live with just one. I decided to give one of my kidneys to my friend.”
Stewart and Prieto had the transplant surgery Dec. 6, 2006, and are now both fully recovered.
“I felt so blessed to be able to do this for a friend,” Dottie told the students, “it was my chance to right a wrong. Would you like to meet my other kidney?”
“Yes!” shouted the students.
Prieto walked on stage in full-Elvis regalia, and proceeded to enthrall the crowd with four Elvis hits including “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” Stewart sang along at one point, changing the words to sing: “take my kidney, too,” earning giggles from students, teachers and parents.
Las Animas teacher, Maria Carrillo, who helped organize the assembly, commented: “I was so touched when I heard about the story of Dottie Stewart and Don Prieto. I wondered if I were in Dottie’s place, would I be brave enough to do the same thing? She sure gave the kids a lot to think about today. Well, that, and they won’t be forgetting Elvis anytime soon.”
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