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StoryCorps: Recording The Lives And Stories Of Everyday Americans StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate the lives of everyday Americans by listening to their stories.
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Sharing And Preserving The Stories Of Our Lives
Dropout Has Thanks, Not Blame, For Teacher

Roger Alvarez (left) did not graduate from high school, despite the efforts of his former English teacher, Antero Garcia. At 22, Alvarez still hopes to get his GED. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

National Teachers Initiative

Dropout Has Thanks, Not Blame, For Teacher

Roger Alvarez dropped out of high school despite the efforts of his English teacher. "You were determined to help me, but what was I willing to give? I could have actually tried," Alvarez says.

Dropout Has Thanks, Not Blame, For Teacher

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Opinion

After Son's Sudden Death, Shock, Grief And Coping

Dennis and Buelah Apple came to StoryCorps to talk about their son Denny. Nearly 21 years ago, Denny came down with mononucleosis. Before going to bed one night, he took some medicine and talked about where he wanted to sleep.

After Son's Sudden Death, Shock, Grief And Coping

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Opinion

Using A New Voice To Enjoy Life After Cancer

In 1999, Rene Foreman was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Surgery saved her life; it also took her voice box. To speak, she now uses an electrolarynx, a small device that produces an electronic voice. And as Foreman tells her daughter, life's been different — and better — ever since.

Using A New Voice To Enjoy Life After Cancer

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Opinion

Threats And Lies, And 'Who I'm Supposed To Be'

Nathan Hoskins knew from an early age that he was gay. But when he was growing up in rural Kentucky, his mother took extreme steps to convince him otherwise. Looking back on it now, he says, "I am who I'm supposed to be."

Threats And Lies, And 'Who I'm Supposed To Be'

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Opinion

CEO Looks At A Veteran, Sees A Business Partner

In 2008, Richard Bennett had been out of the Marines for nearly three years, after being injured in Iraq. That's when he caught the attention of Craig Williams, who was looking for a partner to help expand his successful business.

CEO Looks At A Veteran, Sees A Business Partner

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On New Year's Eve, An ID Check Helps Love Prosper

Isabel Sobozinsky-Wall and her husband, Scott Wall, visited StoryCorps in San Francisco. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

On New Year's Eve, An ID Check Helps Love Prosper

For Isabel Sobozinsky-Wall, New Year's Eve marks a special time. That's when she met her future husband, Scott, during a trip to New York City 20 years ago. But first they had some things to overcome.

On New Year's Eve, An ID Check Helps Love Prosper

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Opinion

National Teachers Initiative

Peace Game Puts 'Weight Of The World' On Students

Teacher John Hunter invented the World Peace Game to get his elementary students to think about major world issues. He also wanted to teach them compassion and kindness. At least two of his former students are on the path he helped to pave.

Peace Game Puts 'Weight Of The World' On Students

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Opinion

A Bowlful Of Memories About A Mama Named Sugar

With fondness and a Southern twang, Penelope Simmons remembers her mother, who was not one to hover. Your foot "could be hanging by a piece of skin," she says, "and Sug would go, 'Oh, baby, go get a Band-Aid. You'll be all right.' "

A Bowlful Of Memories About A Mama Named Sugar

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Opinion

Homeless At 60: 'A Bullet I Didn't See Coming'

Queen Jackson has been homeless for about a year. As she recently told her case manager, Debra MacKillop, it all started in 2009, when she was laid off. Since then, there have been hard moments — and some precious ones, as well.

Homeless At 60: 'A Bullet I Didn't See Coming'

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A Livin' Thing: After Decades, A Couple Reconnects

MaryAnn and Jim Fletcher pose for a photo on the night of their junior prom dance, in the Half Hollow Hills School District of New York's Long Island. Jim Fletcher hide caption

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Jim Fletcher

Opinion

A Livin' Thing: After Decades, A Couple Reconnects

Jim and MaryAnn Fletcher met when they were just children, in the first grade. Later they became high-school sweethearts. But then they split up — until they found each other again, more than 20 years later.

A Livin' Thing: After Decades, A Couple Reconnects

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Being Positive: Love And Life After An HIV Diagnosis

Chris Whitney (right) spoke to his friend, Erin Kuka, in San Francisco about his life after learning that he was HIV positive. StoryCorps hide caption

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Opinion

Being Positive: Love And Life After An HIV Diagnosis

Chris Whitney lived in San Francisco in the 1980s, when there wasn't much known about AIDS. But then he tested positive for HIV. He explains what happened next to his friend Erin Kuka.

Being Positive: Love And Life After An HIV Diagnosis

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Teacher Pushed Struggling Student To Honors

Meliza Arellano (right) is now an 11th grader at Democracy Prep in New York City. Her seventh-grade teacher, Sarah Benko, inspired her to want to become a teacher. StoryCorps hide caption

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StoryCorps

Opinion

National Teachers Initiative

Teacher Pushed Struggling Student To Honors

When Meliza Arellano started seventh grade, she was below grade level in both math and reading. She was put in Sarah Benko's class to help students like her get up to speed. That was the year Arellano became a serious student.

Teacher Pushed Struggling Student To Honors

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English Teacher Reaches Through Student's Haze

John Burnett is an NPR correspondent based in Austin, Texas. Steve Barrett/for NPR hide caption

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Steve Barrett/for NPR

StoryCorps' National Day Of Listening

English Teacher Reaches Through Student's Haze

NPR correspondent John Burnett's high school English teacher, Christine Eastus, may have been demanding, but she encouraged his interest in writing. Burnett is thankful that Eastus gave him the boost he needed as a teenager. You can thank a teacher, too, on Twitter with #thankteacher, or on the StoryCorps Facebook page.

English Teacher Reaches Through Student's Haze

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The Parenting Dance: Hold Tight While Letting Go

Joshua Littman and his mother, Sarah, visited StoryCorps for the second time to talk about their evolving relationship. Their first visit was in 2006. StoryCorps hide caption

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Opinion

The Parenting Dance: Hold Tight While Letting Go

Sarah Littman is struggling a little with her son, Joshua, being away at college. He is having a hard time adjusting to being away from home and understanding why he's in college in the first place.

The Parenting Dance: Hold Tight While Letting Go

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Living To Tell The Horrible Tale Of Pearl Harbor

Battleships USS West Virginia and USS Tennessee after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941.The attack initiated U.S. participation in World War II. National Archives hide caption

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National Archives

Opinion

Living To Tell The Horrible Tale Of Pearl Harbor

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Thousands of Americans were killed that day. But Frank Curre, who was just a teenager when he enlisted in the Navy, survived the onslaught. He was assigned to the USS Tennessee.

Living To Tell The Horrible Tale Of Pearl Harbor

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