Dear Ernie,
Thank you so much for everything you have done for this school. 
Giving this property to SBMS was an amazing gift. I hope for my sisters to go to this school, and to know that it will be on the same campus that I was on is very fulfilling. Thank you so much for this amazing gift!

Thank you so much for this great gift to Santa Barbara Middle School, it is amazing. The fact that SBMS has a place to live and continue its mission, now forever, is a wonderful thing. Thank you.

Dear Ernie -- I am a 9th grade student at SBMS, and I know how much you have done for all of us. You have given us more than just a building to use as a campus, you have given us a sense of home and belonging. We are now a permanent part of your legacy, and you a prominent part of ours. There are no real words to describe the gratitude we feel for you. Thank you and Carpe Diem!

I can't even begin to describe how thankful and amazed I am at what you've done for our community. I love learning about your many adventures and can't wait to see you here soon. 
Endless love and gratitude,
Alexis

I am in the 9th grade at Santa Barbara Middle School. I am so grateful for you giving such a beautiful campus to our school. It's a great honor to accept this gift from you.

There is no way to express how thankful our school is to you. What an incredible gift you have given us. My name is Selene and I am a 9th grader at Santa Barbara Middle School. Since this is my last year, it brings me so much joy to know that this school will stay on this beautiful campus for the many years we have ahead of this. Thank you again for this incredible opportunity you have given SBMS.

Thank you Ernie for all the ways in which you've enriched my life and so many others. Through your involvement at Santa Barbara Middle School, I have been given an opportunity to experience the islands and our oceans in a way that wouldn't be possible without you. Your dedication to your work and those around you is inspiring. And it fills me with gratitude to hear that thanks to you, this opportunity will be available for many generations to come. Thank you.

Ernie, 
As you probably know, this years theme at SBMS, is "because of them us, because of us them". Your act of kindness, really highlights this. I became a part of the middle school family in 8th grade. I have learned more about myself and the world around me in just that one year than all the other years in my life combined. I truly believe that Santa Barbara Middle School can change a person for the better. It is people like you who have made life changing oppurtunites for people in the past, and will continue to make new opportunities for people to come in the future. Calling your gift thoughtful is an understatement. Thank you for affecting and changing so many peoples lives, both of the past and the future. I am beyond grateful for your work and existence. 
Thank you, 
Emma Hammond (9th grade)

Thank you so much. If this school was in any other place I don't think I would appreciate this experience as much as I do. This school is doing such an amazing thing for each and every student that passes through. And I am forever grateful for the experiences it has given me, and it wouldn't be without your gift. I have had so many opportunities that I wouldn't have had anywhere else. 

With much gratitude,
Hudson Ablitt, 9th Grader at SBMS

I am grateful for the school because I want other people to share the experiences that I have had with other students. I want this school to continue for as long as possible and this gift that Ernie gave is making the school be able to stay.

I am grateful for Ernie's gift because it allows us to continue our school at this amazing campus without the fear of having to move. Many generations will come after us and be thankful that they also get to look at the view of Santa Barbara everyday.

Dear Ernie,

This is insane! Thank you! The thought that this occurred during my time at SBMS is mind blowing. When I came to SBMS, my class was only 13 students including me. I had no idea of the background that came with this building, and to learn now after four years because of your gift has made me cry. Thank you for giving me a chance to study in a school different than public, and taught your thoughts and experiences. So again, thank you.

Ever grateful,
Caetano

Thank you, Ernie for giving our school a place to change kids' lives forever. I am very happy with who I am today and I definitely have SBMS to thank for that. It taught me how to be a great friend, understanding, make easy conversation, and just how to be a better person. SBMS taught me a lot about who I am and if many generations to come get to experience this school then I have very high hopes for the future. I can't even express how thankful I am that you allowed SBMS to have a space to change 1000s of kids' perspectives for generations to come. Thank you so much Ernie!

SBMS has changed me a lot. I have learned how to really appreciate things in life, and really think about what I am doing. This school introduced me to photography, which has also taught me how to look at things from another perspective. This campus is a great place to learn, and really fits SBMS nicely. I really learned how to step out of my comfort zone and in the past year I am now teaching others my wisdom about this school, and challenges in life.

I am so thankful that Ernie was so generous and gave us this amazing building. I am very happy to know that SBMS will always be here. It is an unbelievable gift. I cant wait to come back as an alumni and still see SBMS here at this campus. Thank you so so much.

I am grateful for Ernie's gift because the SBMS campus has provided a home for so many memories to be made. Over the past three years I have learned so much more about what I would like to do with my life, as well as who can help me to achieve my goals. I know that years from now I'm going to look back to my middle school years and remember the view that I shared with the rest of my school. The view from 1321 Alameda Padre Serra, the heart of Santa Barbara Middle School.

Because of you us, because of us them. Your gift of the campus to SBMS will enable me, my sister, and eventually, hopefully my kids. SBMS fosters people who will make changes in the world and by being so generous and honest with brian. You could have made much more money,, but you decided to make Middle school possible. For this I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope I can do something in my life as you have done. Thank you

Thank you so much for this school and these opportunities that this school gives us. You are such an inspirational man and I loved hearing your stories about your underwater life and your photography of capturing underwater life. I hope when I grow up that I could live life to the fullest like you do thanks so much for everything!

Love, Mason

The story that Brian, our head master, told us about how Ernie just gave us the school was really touching to me. He told us about how ernie and Brian had made a deal to give Brian the school and shook hands on it. After that Ernie was getting offers for a lot more money than Brian was offering. Brian was very nervous about losing this amazing deal he had made with Ernie. BUT... even after all the money people were trying to give Ernie to give them the school, Ernie had made a promise, a deal, he shook Brian's hand. The fact that just a simple handshake meant so much to him that he promised to give Brian the school means so much. I am so grateful for ernie because without him, I wouldn't have met all these amazing people and come to this school. His promise to Brian really meant the world because he knew that SBMS would really do something for the world.

Thank you so much for your wonderful gift. I know that our whole community will cherish and care for this amazing building. It will help us take care of ourselves, each other, and we will be sure to take care of this place. Because of you and your generosity sums spirit will be passed through generation and so many children will have an amazing education and lead an amazing life. Even though I don't know you very well personally, I hope to be exactly like you when I grow up. I admire your curiosity, generosity, courage, creativity, and the way you treat others in general. Thank you again you will forever be the diamond in the center of the wheel.