THE
SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY
VOL. 29 NO. 41
NOVEMBER 2, 2012
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
Acclaimed children’s author Kimberly Willis Holt visited Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) Sigonella elementary, middle and high schools at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella from October 22–26. (U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Cameron Bramham/Released)
Acclaimed children’s author Kimberly Willis Holt visits NASSIG BY MCSN CAMERON BRAMHAM NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
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cclaimed children’s author Kimberly Willis Holt visited Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) Sigonella elementary, middle and high schools at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella from October 22–26. Her visit to NAS Sigonella was the first stop on her Writer's on Deck Tour, organized by command installation’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) which brings admired authors to selected bases where they get a chance to interact with service members, and in Holt’s case, their children. Normally, an author’s visit to a base would only be two to three days. NAS Sigonella was offered a special scholarship by Holt herself called the Ray and Brenda Willis Scholarship which funded an entire week. “Sigonella was the first winner,” Holt said. “I will offer this
[scholarship] every year to a school that has 95 percent military kids.” Holt's father was in the Navy while she was a child and she credits her experiences as a "Navy brat" to her success as a children's author. “Military kids experience things that some people never experience in a lifetime and those types of experiences can offer lots of opportunities for writers," said Holt. "I owe my writing career to my military childhood.” Holt is best known for her award-winning book, “When Zachary Beaver Came to Town” and her award-winning “Piper Reed” book series. “I know this sounds funny, but I didn't choose to write children's books,” Holt said. “The genre seemed to choose me.
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Most of my story ideas stem from moments in my childhood.” According to Holt's bio on scholastic.com she lived in a different home every couple of years. “I learned French in Paris, explored caves in Guam, rode the ferry across Puget Sound in Washington," said Holt. "Now I feel lucky that I had such a diverse background.” Holt believes anyone aspiring to be a successful writer needs to hit the books early and often. “Good readers are good writers,” Holt said. This was not Holt's first visit to NAS Sigonella to visit with and inspire young military children, and it will not be her last. “I loved having the opportunity to talk to military kids," said Holt." They've walked in my shoes and more than any place, these kids represent my roots.”
OF THE WEEK
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
Strongman Competition
Catania Opera Season
Autumn Fest
Sigonella’s strongest men and women compete.
Opera season announced.
Sigonella brings American celebration to Sicily.
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