La Puente, CA--When the Nogales High School Librarian, Mrs. Tatyana Makarova scheduled award-winning author and Los Angeles Times journalist Hector Tobar to be a guest speaker at Nogales High School, she never anticipated the turn out. Over 200 students showed up to listen to the author share his life story, his path to becoming a writer, and his words of wisdom about being good students, life-long learners, and pursuing one's goals.
Mr. Tobar spoke about his experiences in high school and about receiving a dictionary as a child that was the start of his love for words. His early attempts at writing were, as he said, "love poems to my girlfriend." It was a substitute teacher in high school who read one of his pieces that really boosted his confidence. "That substitute teacher was the first person to refer to me as a writer," he said.
The students who attended were eager to ask questions that ranged from who his favorite authors are to how he overcomes writer's block to how one becomes a professional writer.
Mr. Tobar spoke for an hour and then stayed after to answer more one-on-one questions, sign autographs for students, and pose for pictures with students and faculty.
Mrs. Makarova said she has scheduled visiting authors and lecturers in the past but that this was the largest turn out ever. Mrs. Makarova made posters that featured the book covers of Mr. Tobar's novel and non-fiction works, which include his newest book about the Chilean miners who were trapped in a tunnel for several days. The book will be turned into a movie starring Antonio Banderas.
Overall, it was a successful event and provided Nogales students the chance to meet a published author, journalist, and role model. Mr. Tobar especially stressed the importance of education and becoming a self-learner. Mrs. Makarova and the library staff presented Mr. Tobar with a bouquet of red and yellow roses as a token of appreciation.
Mr. Tobar spoke about his experiences in high school and about receiving a dictionary as a child that was the start of his love for words. His early attempts at writing were, as he said, "love poems to my girlfriend." It was a substitute teacher in high school who read one of his pieces that really boosted his confidence. "That substitute teacher was the first person to refer to me as a writer," he said.
The students who attended were eager to ask questions that ranged from who his favorite authors are to how he overcomes writer's block to how one becomes a professional writer.
Mr. Tobar spoke for an hour and then stayed after to answer more one-on-one questions, sign autographs for students, and pose for pictures with students and faculty.
Mrs. Makarova said she has scheduled visiting authors and lecturers in the past but that this was the largest turn out ever. Mrs. Makarova made posters that featured the book covers of Mr. Tobar's novel and non-fiction works, which include his newest book about the Chilean miners who were trapped in a tunnel for several days. The book will be turned into a movie starring Antonio Banderas.
Overall, it was a successful event and provided Nogales students the chance to meet a published author, journalist, and role model. Mr. Tobar especially stressed the importance of education and becoming a self-learner. Mrs. Makarova and the library staff presented Mr. Tobar with a bouquet of red and yellow roses as a token of appreciation.