Sarah Panzau is veteran speaker and is no stranger to the Holy City. Actually she is an old friend of Charleston students and teachers. And last week on 9/7, she met the daughter of a radio host in Phoenix that she visits from time to time. I don’t think there’s ever a stranger in Sarah’s sights. She welcomes you with the light of her eyes and leaves you feeling with an unspoken understanding.
Everyone has their days, but Sarah seldom seems to let much bring her down. She speaks of blessings and love. She heeds warnings about friends coming and going. She is a grateful woman and she has a wealth of goodwill towards the students she meets.
In 2003, Sarah nearly died in a drunk driving accident. Her car spun out of control and she flipped 4 times – ejecting her from the car and ripping off her arm. 30+ surgeries later she wears her scars as a gift of life. She tells her story to students nationwide to warn them the affects of poor decisions. Sarah was a volleyball athlete with a bright future and a competitive career that all changed in a flash. Now, Sarah returns to many of the colleges that recruit her, among high schools, and hopes to touch the lives of others.
Most recently, Sarah’s message impacted the CofC student athletes, Bishop England High School, and West Ashley High School. Immediately her Twitter and Facebook page were flooded with outpouring of hope and love. Parents were sending her messages thanking her for getting through to their child. Students came up to her afterwards with tears and their own personal trials.
I can’t put into words how it feels to be in the room with her. Listen to her speak once and you are forever touched.
Larry Lipov (Pearlstine Distributors), Sarah Panzau, Joe Hull (CofC Athletics Director)
Sarah comes to the Charleston market by way of Anheuser-Busch. She is a member of AB’s national speakers bureau. Wholesalers all over the country underwrite all the costs of Sarah’s travels to local markets- this way no school is deprived of Living Proof just because of inability to pay. Sarah is becoming a fixture in the Charleston market- her message is well received and its become the centerpiece of our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. Her message is simple, lasting, and impactful, and at Pearlstine we are proud to share her with students in our community.
