Dear Mr. Buser,

Our third grade Academically Talented class meets on Tuesdays. We learned so much about the maushers and the dogs.We made a map of Alaska on our carpet, and made a trail with checkpoints so we could follow where the mushers were going.

We chose you as our musher and we are very glad that we did. We kept a journal and we pretended to be you and write about all the things you went through. It was fun following the race. When you were in the crash and hurt your hands, we thought you would stop. But you didn't. We learned that just when you think you can't do something it doesn't mean you can't, and not just to quit when you mess up. We were all cheering for you! We think you are very strong and brave. We learned from you to never give up.

We hope you run the Iditarod again. You did a wonderful job! Hope you had fun in Florida!

Your new friends in Manteno, Illinois,

Laine, Ali, Victoria, Kyle, Megan, Rachel, Rebecca, Tony, Sarah, Amanda M., Amanda N., Crysta, Josh, and Mrs. Taylor