A former Abbotsford Senior Secondary student who is now an author based in Pittsburgh recently had a Skype session with students of a Lower Mainland school.

Jonathan Auxier (left) had the online visit on July 14 with Grade 5 and 6 students at YSI Academy in Maple Ridge. He is the author of one of their favourite books, The Night Gardener, winner of the 2015 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy, and a number of other prestigious awards and honours.

Disney has also bought the rights to his book.

YSI teacher Shirley Graham-Wilmot had a connection with Auxier: She was his debate coach at Abbotsford Senior Secondary in the late 1990s.

In May of this year, Graham-Wilmot re-connected with her former debater-turned-university-professor and highly acclaimed author, who cheerfully agreed to do a Skype session with her students.

For these international students, the experience was one they will always cherish.