10/24/97

ATHENS, Ohio -- An Ohio University English instructor's dream comes true on Monday, Oct. 27, when she appears on the nationwide broadcast of the "Oprah Winfrey Show," broadcast on Columbus CBS affiliate WBNS-TV, channel 10 at 4 p.m.

"Any dream you have is possible if you hold it close to your heart, " said Susan Ellis Sheridan.

Sheridan will appear on the book segment of Monday's Oprah Winfrey broadcast. She and three other guests will discuss A Lesson Before Dying, a book about prejudice by Ernest Gaines. Sheridan is an English teacher at Ironton High School, on leave of absence while she is a visiting instructor at Ohio University for the 1997-98 academic year. She was selected to appear on the show after she wrote a letter to Winfrey, describing the impact Gaines' book had on her.

"The story has powerful messages," wrote Sheridan. "It reminds us to live every day, not hurting the people we love."

Sheridan's appearance was taped earlier in Baton Rouge, La.

"I was so impressed with the expertise and kindness of everyone working on the show," Sheridan said. "It was a dream-like experience."