Newsroom Archive for 06/28, 2010

 

CLP 2010: Day 27, Friday, June 25
Jun 28 2010 - 9:30am

College Leaders Program Class of 2010
Day 27-Friday, June 25
Recorded by: Wei Luo, Hollins University

The day began bright and sunny after a big storm struck Charlottesville last night. In the morning, we drove to visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, icon of American architecture and a World Heritage site. In class we had frequently mentioned Jefferson’s political views, and it was a great experience to see the place one of the American founding fathers lived and learn about his life experience that shaped his ideas about American democracy.

At noon we returned to the Bice for lunch. At 3 p.m., we gathered together and played a “web” game. Basically, the first person held on to the end of a roll of toilet paper and threw the roll to another person, telling everyone a good experience we had with that person. Then the second person held on to their section of toilet paper and threw the roll to the next person, and so on, eventually creating a web.  Every time someone connected the paper to another, we felt closer and realized again that we had built good friendship with each other during the last four weeks.

We went to the Baja Bean Mexican restaurant for closing dinner. During the dinner, the CLP staff members announced the superlative awards voted by each of us yesterday. Everyone got nominated for different kinds of exciting awards. I was nominated for the "Least likely to divulge partisanship", which means I have done a good job not disclosing unnecessary information. The good news was that our team won a Scavenger Hunt (which happened in the first week), and the prize was to get ice cream at Arch’s. It was a reward for teamwork.

I have had a wonderful time at the Sorensen CLP Class of 2010. For the last four weeks, I have learned a lot about politics in America, especially in Virginia. I have learned how politics in America works. The most important thing I have learned is to give space for people’s different opinions and respect their ideas even if I do not agree with them. As a Chinese citizen, I come from a different culture and society; the differences are not a barrier, but a chance for mutual learning. The CLP gave me a chance to meet people with diverse backgrounds from all over Virginia, affirmed my political views, and offered me a new perspective on American democracy.

CLP 2010: Day 26, Thursday, June 24
Jun 28 2010 - 9:36am

College Leaders Program Class of 2010
Day 26-Thursday, June 24
Recorded by: Katie Hunter, Virginia Tech

Today was probably the most anticipated day of our Sorensen experience. It was the day when all of our hard work came to fruition because we presented our policy proposals to a very accomplished panel. The panel consisted of Creigh Deeds, David Toscano, Connie Jorgensen, Mary Loose Deviney, Dr. Steve Bragaw and Bob Gibson. Of course we were all so nervous to present and show our work to these people! But no nerves were necessary because the panel members were all very hospitable.

After watching the presentations, I realize how creative and thoughtful the CLP Class of 2010 really is! During the course of this month, each group has worked very hard to make plausible policy proposals, and today the hard work paid off. Each group was professional and did a great job in conveying their policy ideas to everyone in the audience. The CLP Class of 2010 definitely set a high precedent. The Class of 2011 will have big shoes to fill!

Now that our policy proposals have been written and presented, we are officially finished with the program until graduation. I believe I can speak for our entire class and say that the Sorensen Institute College Leaders Program has been a incredible opportunity. I know that I personally learned so much about my political views and myself. My knowledge of government and politics has also been enriched. I am so glad to have been a part of this great program!