American Faces - #43

American Faces No.43

Have you ever been blown away by someone when you first meet them? I was, by this wonderful teenager named Sani, as I sat across from her at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Maple Grove, MN. She has already endured much in her years on this earth. She was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer in 2015, just months after her mother Natasha was diagnosed with the same form of cancer. As I asked questions I saw a young lady with such incredible poise and care for her fellow human that my heart was truly stirred. Though she’s endured much hardship, she has a huge desire to give to others. Sani’s way of giving is through collecting and donating books to hospitals and various healthcare facilities so young patients like her might have something to read. She calls her organization Sani's Book Adventures.

Sani has spent many days in hospitals. Books gave her an escape, and helped take her to places she could only dream of going as she was fighting hard against thyroid Cancer. Those literary adventures gave her a place to go where cancer could not hold her back. She got to be princess, a mountaineer and maybe even the brave soldier fighting the battle that others were not strong enough to fight. Imagination and dreams are precious to Sani and her fellow fighters, and books can be a powerful window into that place where they find hope.

Sani’s Book Adventures has provided Sani’s family something to rally around as they’ve fought their Cancer battles together. Julian, Sani’s dad has been the man of great strength, supporting this adventure. He’s also the guy who gets to carry the boxes of books into each place the books find a home. Sani’s brother Jack helps select books. He’s especially drawn to classics that are wonderfully ornate and full of adventure. Aric, Jack’s twin brother, is also wonderfully in the mix as this family pushes on in their work to bless others.

I really wanted to keep writing more, but perhaps it’s best to close by leaving you with Sani’s own words. When I asked her why she started Sani’s Book Adventures, she simply said, “To help others find hope in the darkest of places.”

Every day, we bump into people who are going through something really hard. Let’s follow Sani’s example and do what we can to help them find hope in the darkness.

Click the link to learn how to help, donate or read more about Sani's Book Adventures:

Sani's Book Adventures

To see the recent Kare11 interview that was wonderfully done click here:

Kare11 Interview

American Faces - #42

American Faces No. 42

Tim Huttner is a complex guy, but he sees the world in a binary way – black and white, good and bad, ones and zeros. Tim admits he’s obsessive-compulsive, and maybe just a touch ADD. His hobbies range from smoking ribs to building high-performance firearms. He and his wife, Roxy, coordinate a weekly car show in the summer. He serves on the local economic development council. He has a sound studio in his basement. He’s eclectic. But Tim’s singular passion is automotive performance. He’s kind of an engine wizard, really.

Tim builds high-performance engines from the block up – precision machining, advanced fuel injection, custom exhaust, engine and transmission electronics. He has two U.S. Patents for automotive technology. It’s hard to keep track of everything Tim has going. But he has help. Roxy keeps the Huttner Enterprises auto repair business humming along, while their son, Norris, works in the shop and drives the tow truck (their other son, Tyler, a machinist, still helps on occasional projects).

While this self-professed car jockey is most at home under the hood of a hot-rod, Tim is all about community. He thinks of his “clients” as family, and goes to extremes to treat people right.

Though always a “straight shooter,” Tim admits he’s not a great communicator. “I’m a blunt-talking type-A, and my thought process, the way I want to do things, is sometimes hard to explain. I know it’s frustrating for others.” He relates his thought process to how he’s worked to overcome Dyslexia. “I’m not great with words. But I can look at a complex circuit board and I can tell you how it works.” He says what might at first seem a weakness is often a strength.

His experience in working to overcome his own challenges informs Tim’s advice to others: “learn from the struggle – whatever you’re dealing with, don’t let it discourage you. Just do what you love to do.”

American Faces #41

American Faces No. 41

It’s interesting that a person who initially struggled at math himself became a high school math teacher, serving in the classroom for 35 years and positively influencing at least 21,000 students in the process. That’s Rod Lingenfelter, 88 years old and still teaching – not in school any more, but certainly with those around him. Looking back, Army training at Fort Riley, Kansas, was a great testing ground for his future career as a high school teacher.

Rod served in the Army infantry and played football at Fort Benning, Georgia, sharing barracks with soldiers he realized had no understanding of even the basics of math. This revelation kick-started his passion for becoming an educator. Rod was given an early discharge to pursue his Master’s degree at Winona State Teachers College. After that, it was on to Bloomington, Minnesota, and Thomas Jefferson High School where Rod brought humor and honesty to his teaching – not only instructing in high-end analysis and algebra, but also creating a Math for Daily Living course for general students that incorporated real-world math skills. Rod’s approach of “if they need help, help them” applied to both gifted students and to those struggling with basic math (with whom he could truly identify).

Along with teaching 34 years of mathematics, Rod coached basketball, football and cross-country running as well, coaxing the very best out of his kids, both in the classroom and on the field. Now even on family DIY projects, Rod – ever the teacher – will supervise and offer advice, but not actually do the work (because he says he wants them to learn). When asked for his advice to the next generation, Rod’s answer is partially formed by his military time down south when both he and his African American teammates often dealt with racism: “Accept people for who they are and who they are yet to become.” As you can see, Rod Lingenfelter never stops teaching.

Written & art directed by: Jim Lingenfelter