Newsroom Archive for 07/26, 2008

High School Leaders Program Class of 2008
Day 14, Friday, July 25
Reported by: Helen Jones and Trent Smith

     I am very sad to report that today was our last day at the Sorensen HSLP.  After a long night of planning and practicing, we presented our culminating projects to a panel of judges in the Rotunda.  It was my first time in this famous venue which made our presentations even more exciting.  The class was divided into six groups, each of which chose a Virginia public policy issue that we wanted to implement or change.  Two from each group explained their situation and their proposal to fix it.  The other three or four members of the group were then questioned by the panel.  I think I speak for everyone when I say I was really nervous but we all made it with flying colors.
     We returned to our classroom for the last time after our presentations.  After lunch we heard from Coy Barefoot, Director of Communications and Alumni Relations for Sorensen, and Karen Kolber a political strategist.  Mr. Barefoot explained that we are all leaders and that we should not doubt our abilities.  Ms. Kolber then conducted a workshop on fundraising which will be useful to all of us in our future endeavors, be it for service or a government election.
     Afterwards the entire class walked over to the Corner for our final dinner together at Baja Bean, where we ate a delicious meal and our new class chair, Caroline Wulf, awarded superlatives.  I know everyone is going to miss their new friends but we can all look forward to a reunion in the near future.  
— Helen Jones of Danville, Chatham Hall Class of 2009        

     As Sorenson students, we've finally defied one law that isn't in some Constitution. 
     The Law of Sleep: A human being of any age, race or gender requires 8 hours or more of sleep, in order to fully function.
     Try less than 5. Every night.
     Such is the life of a prospective politician. Nevertheless, weary eyes were replaced by alert ones this morning, as each Culminating Project group made their presentations. Eager to hear our peers' ideas on our respective issues and apprehensive to present our own, we filed into the Rotunda, the site of the presentations. We listened to fact-filled, persuasive solutions to problems such as the infant mortality rate, the length and number of terms for the Governor, the Hamton Roads transportation problem, the Chesapeake Bay's runoff issue, the death penalty, and a prospective 4-day school week.
     The presentations concluded and we were free! Or so we thought.
     We hustled back across campus to Thornton for lunch and a few more speakers. After our first- two hour lunch break, we settled in for our next speaker. Suddenly, Coy Barefoot emerged through the doorway. After an extremely informative presentation about Thomas Jefferson and Jefferson's vision of government and a citizen's role in deciding it, Barefoot presented us with "The Patriot's Challenge:" Citizens of the United States must pick the most qualified candidate, not the most charismatic or trustworthy, for public office.
     Next up was fundraising extraordinaire Karen Kolber. She explained to us what a candidate must do to get his funds. After a two-hour rundown, it was time to go to our last dinner together.
Everyone scrambled up the steps of Baja Bean to get a good table. Then, when everyone realized it was buffet style, scrambling ensued to get to the front of the line. As we chowed down on our Mexican food, we were surprised by a list of superlatives that our new chair, Caroline Wulf, put together. After some giggles and acknowledgements, it was time to head back to Bice for the night, for once without homework.
     Coming into this two-week experience, I had no idea of what to expect. Frankly, I had a very limited knowledge of Virginia politics, or politics in general for that matter. I was worried I’d pale in comparison to other political masterminds that would surely be here. But what I found is that even though we’re all different, we’re all alike. Everyone wants everyone to learn, and learn I did. How could I not with such a bright and interesting group of people? Sure we do have a few political brainiacs (Colin and Mitch, you guys are incredible), yet no one looked down on anyone else just because they weren’t as informed. Every single last one of you 31 knuckleheads (Madison, Emily, Jamie, Marc, and Mr. Gibson too) are people I want to stay in touch with for the rest of my life. I’m so glad I came here. Graduation is tomorrow and if someone trips, two weeks of perfection will finally be completed.
     And oh yeah…..sleep’s overrated.
— Trent Smith of Williamsburg, Lafayette High School, Class of 2009

High School Leaders Program Class of 2008
Day 15, Saturday, July 26
Reported by: Richard Murphy and Amber Wiley-Vawter

     This morning I sadly began to pack and pawn off all the food my roommates never ate. After booking it through the shower and dressing in a cross between business professional and business casual, because apparently everyone likes wearing suits except me, I joined my classmates and walked to class.
     There was a general air of anticipation as we all thought of what was ahead. These thoughts continued all the way through the graduation ceremony: Some girls cried, some middle names were mis-pronounced, but overall the graduation was amazing. Madison got up and gave her grown-up woman speech; Emily explained how we were mischievous little monkeys; and Jamie talked about what we all take away from this experience. Next was the honored speaker and then came the big moment when we all received our diplomas. Every one of us felt a little surge of pride as we got our validation for the politics boot camp.
     Last of all was the slideshow and the closing remarks by MJ. Everyone was sad as we filed out of the room to the reception, some people introduced their families, some people cried, but mostly everyone was just happy that we all made it through. After a stirring rendition of “Goodbye Love” with Michelle, the “fives”and I headed back to Bice Hall to finish packing and say our goodbyes.
     First came the packing. Throw all dirty clothes into suitcase: check. Throw all clean clothes into hamper: check. Pray that you don’t forget anything: check. The first to go from room 204 was McCullough, a suitemate that I know I’ll be missing later tonight when its midnight and I have no one to gossip about my roommates with. Then went Daniel, my ever so patient roommate, who accepted my tendency to sleep walk and even had the decency not to beat me. I left before Colin but it was all the more tragic. We all said so many goodbyes today to all of the friends we made at Sorensen.
     It’s so hard to believe that everyone became so close after just two weeks; that a family grew out of 32 super cool high school kids. Unfortunately, all of the super cool high school kids had to have their rooms cleaned before they left, and for those of us who hadn’t washed dishes since the 14th, that meant cleaning out the substances from the dishes in the sink. After that fun little escapade, we returned our keys, said final goodbyes to all of the people we loved, promised to meet up before school started, and left the premises. I can’t speak for every member of the HSLP, but I know that this experience changed me and that I’ll always take the lessons I learned from my time at Sorensen with me in life. Thanks so much everyone, it was a great two weeks!
— Richard Murphy of Chesapeake, Norfolk Academy Class of 2009

     Today is graduation.  Tears are being shed yet we all carry a smile.  The class of 2008 survived through the stress, work and hardship; from it we were all reborn a new person, a better person.  Dressed in our finest we smiled and laughed as the last goodbyes were said.  We regret nothing.  We are the Class of the 2008 Sorensen Institute.
     The room was getting quiet as parents, friends and sightseers shifted into their seats waiting for the speaker to begin.  We were surrounded by white arches beautifully set in a room designed by Thomas Jefferson called the Rotunda.  Bob Gibson began the graduation by fondly listing the class’s obsession with the dart game. A game that involves shooting people with imaginary darts, thus forcing them to the ground for forty-five seconds. Incidentally the only way to protect yourself was cover you neck, thus a large majority of our pictures have students covering their necks in fear.  
     Elected by our class as speaker for graduation, Martina Hairston gave a wonderful speech; many of us were brought to tears.  Then once again to have our hearts lightened as she called out ‘Hey Sorensen’ with the class responding with ‘Hey What?’  Marc Johnson gave the Spirit of Citizenship Award to Caroline Wulf and Mitch Caudill.  The Honorable Paul Harris, Vice Chairman of the Sorensen Institute spoke of the young leaders in the world and the passion and change they would bring.  Presenting the diplomas were Ms. Madison Bush, Jamie Lockhart, and Emily Reijmers; each spoke of how they would dearly miss us and rejoiced in the fact that their torment was over.  All three suffered some form of abuse such as refusing to follow curfew rules, pranks that involved loss of beds, spoon filled purses and much more. Although despite all the above they were there for us in any way possible and expressed how much they cared and would miss us. Diplomas in hand, we moved down to the reception where we nibbled on refreshments and said our last goodbyes, camera flashes and all. The two-week Sorensen Leadership Program was over; however the memory and impact it had on our lives will stay strong in all of our hearts, for we are the Class of 2008.
— Amber Wiley-Vawter of Floyd, Floyd County High School Class of 2009

Congratulations to the Sorensen Institute's High School Leaders Program Class of 2008. The class celebrated their graduation this morning at a ceremony in the historic dome room at the University of Virginia Rotunda. The board members, alumni, and staff are very proud to welcome you to the Sorensen family!

Look for photos and video of the graduation here in the Newsroom in the next few days.