Dear Sonny,

Congratulations on coming in ninth in the 2001 Iditarod! We were so proud of you, especially when you won the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award. Our teacher says that is probably you did so well because you knew how to talk right to your dogs. Our teacher is from North Carolina, but she talks just like South Carolinians, too! We hope you have had a chance to rest and recuperate and to take care of the dogs. We bet all of y'all are tired.

All of the people of South Carolina will be proud that you are from their state. We think our teacher will want her new group of third graders to follow you in the race. Good luck as you continue to work with your dogs. We hope you have a safe trip home. You're a good man, Sonny King.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Water's Third Grade
Willows, California