Henry Winkler of Happy Days fame visited Seven Arrows Elementary School for their weekly Kuyam on Friday, Jan. 9 as part of the school’s annual Literary Festival. Although his trademark leather jacket has been replaced by a magenta sweater and puffy black North Face coat, he is still as cool as ever.
“All of you who can wear shorts this morning are my heroes,” Winkler began on the cool winter morning.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
The Kuyam started off with a lively and dance-ridden performance of Happy by the parent/faculty band, as well as a rendition of the Seven Arrows song by Ruby Jacobs (first grade) and her sister Ella Jacobs (third grade).
Winkler, a famous actor/producer/writer/director, is also the author of 28 children’s books about Hank Zipzer, an adventurous boy with learning challenges – not unlike Winkler himself, who grew up dyslexic but didn’t know it until he was in his 30s and his own son was diagnosed.
Winkler read from one of his books and the crowd − made up of parents, faculty and the Seven Arrows students − was completely captivated and entertained.
Winkler encouraged the students to pursue their dreams no matter what and to have a sense of humor along the way.
“No matter how hard a subject or school is for you, it has nothing to do with your brilliance,” Winkler said. “Every one of you is powerful…Figure out what your greatness is, dig it out and give it to the world.”
Of course, when asked, Winkler transformed back into “The Fonz” with a thumbs up and an “Ayyyy” much to everyone’s delight.
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