Newsroom Archive for 8/, 2010
Aug 9 2010 - 2:12pm
Two graduates of the High School Leaders Program Class of 2010 have published op-eds about their Sorensen experience in two Virginia newspapers.
Holly Johnston is the author of "Seeing Real Solutions to Nation's Real Problems" that was published this past Sunday in the Danville Register & Bee. Holly writes in part, "As I reflect back on my time at Sorensen, I think about all of the amazing people that I have met, and all the amazing things that I learned. Most of all though, I think about the responsibility that has now been given to me to make sure that there is open dialogue not based on party lines, but real solutions to real problems."
Click here to read Holly's essay.
Maggie Chambers published her essay "What I Learned at Government Boot Camp This Summer" on Sunday in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Maggie begins by writing, "When I tried to explain to my friends what exactly I was doing this summer, they dismissed it as me being a nerd again -- after all, what kind of person would choose to spend two weeks at what was known as 'government boot camp'? Well, me. And believe me, the Sorensen Institute High School Leaders Program was so much more than that."
Aug 9 2010 - 2:21pm
Eric Gregory (PLP 2007) and Bryan Rhode (PLP 2008, CTP Winter 2009) have been named the new co-chairs of the Richmond Regional Board.
In a recent statement to alumni and board members, Executive Director Bob Gibson said, "I am delighted to report that Richmond Regional Board members Eric Gregory and Bryan Rhode have agreed to co-chair their regional board. The previous chair, Delegate Chris Peace (PLP 2004), left the regional board this spring upon his election to Sorensen's Statewide Advisory Board.
"Eric and Bryan have given much of their time, talents and resources to be active members and leaders in the Sorensen alumni family. We look forward to their leadership of the regional board as we enter the busy fall recruiting season for the next year's Political Leaders Program and Candidate Training Program classes.
Thanks to both for stepping up."
Aug 12 2010 - 10:18am
The Sorensen Institute has been actively trying to establish new ways for our alumni, staff and potential program participants to stay in contact with one another. One of the easiest ways to stay updated on the exciting things going on here at the Sorensen Institute is to follow our Twitter account. You can find our account at SIPLUVA. Follow us, recommend us, and stay up to date on the exciting events that Sorensen will be hosting in the near future.
Aug 12 2010 - 10:50am
The Sorensen Institute is happy (and excited!) to announce that our 2nd Annual Sorensen Family Reunion will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010. We will gather on the Airstrip at Bundoran Farm from 11am until 4pm. Make sure you mark your calendars and get ready for food, fun, good music and good friends. More details will be posted as we approach the date.
Aug 12 2010 - 11:47am
Jennifer McClellan (PLP 2001; CTP 2005) and David Mills welcomed Jackson McClellan Mills this week. Jack arrived at 5:19 p.m. on August 9, weighing in at 7 lbs., 6 oz. Mom, Dad, and Jack are back home and doing well. Congratulations, Jenn and Dave!
Aug 12 2010 - 12:21pm
Ken Hutcheson (PLP 2003) was recently named Director of Government Affairs at Williams Mullen. Congratulations, Ken! Click here for the full story.
Aug 12 2010 - 12:56pm
The Obama Administration appointed Jaime Areizaga-Soto (PLP '09) as Senior Attorney Advisor to the Office of the General Counsel at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID General Counsel's office includes over sixty attorneys in the Washington office and more than forty serving in US missions around the world.Jaime is a former White House Fellow, who also served as advisor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the US Treasury Department. He spent more than ten years in private practice, including Hogan & Hartson in its corporate securities practice group and Clifford Chance, where he specialized in cross border infrastructure finance.
Jaime is a US Army JAG Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard and a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and Stanford University School of Law. He also holds a Masters in Latin American Studies from Stanford. Jaime, who lives in Arlington, is fluent in Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
Aug 13 2010 - 10:11am
This year, the Sorensen Institute is proud to claim several congressional candidates as our Alumni. These Sorensen grads are running in United States Congressional races all across Virginia and are striving to implement the lessons they learned at Sorensen into their campaigns. These candidates give hope to the Sorensen idea that politics can be about the heated clash of ideas, but that our differences do not have to divide us. Below you'll find a link to each of the candidates websites.
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Aug 13 2010 - 11:40am
Name: Jason Halbert
Age: 40
Birthplace and/or where you grew up: Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, NM. I grew up in many places, but mostly West Chester, PA
Current Digs: Charlottesville, VA
Occupation: Philanthropy
Favorite part about the job: Working with non-profits to solve complex social and environmental problems and seeing results.
Your first job ever? When I was 8 years old I wanted a fairly expensive bicycle at the time. My parents said I could have it if I saved my money. All I received was a small weekly allowance for chores. I quickly calculated that with my pay grade it would take years to buy it. So my parents suggested getting a job. I signed up for the local paper route and got it. I got the bike within a few months.
Favorite book? Too many! Fiction: Watch for Me on the Mountain by Forrest Carter Non-fiction: Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape, Barry Lopez
Favorite movie? Harold & Maude
Comfort food? Chips & Salsa
What's in your car CD player right now (or favorites on your iPod)? Wilco (the album)
Next journey? Perhaps to Victoria, BC to see my brother-in-law and sister-in-law as she graduates from grad school. And then to Uganda in Jan. 2011 to help install a solar system on a community center/school in an area with no electricity.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Canoeing the Rivanna, Shenandoah, or upper James rivers with my family.
First political memory? At roughly five, my brother and I organized a "protest" against my Mom's smoking. We were ultimately successful (decades later).
Whom do you admire and why? Nelson Mandela. His life and achievements are incredible and inspiring. His ability to lead through persistence and forgiveness is something all people should strive to emulate.
Best advice you ever got? Work hard and play hard.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Robin Williams. He’s hilarious and speaks his mind.
Describe a perfect day. Third day on five day canoe float down a nice long free-flowing river, perhaps in the Ozarks or perhaps in Virginia or West Virginia. Early fall, just after the first frost. Cool evenings and mornings, perfect for a fire, but warm lingering summer days still affording a refreshing swim in the river after a sweaty hike. Friends, family, instruments, good food, and easy conversations.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I have a passion for learning about China and want to learn Mandarin.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Yes.
Aug 13 2010 - 11:51am
Name: Tiffanny Morris
Age: 27
Birthplace: Harrisonburg
Current Digs: Live in Harrisonburg- work throughout the entire Shenandoah Valley.
Occupation: Small Business Owner: Commercial Cleaning Company, also co-own a small screen printing business.
Favorite part about the job: The flexibility that allows me to spend time with family and doing "extracurricular" activities like Sorensen. I love the fact that the success that I achieve is only limited by myself, and no one else.
Your first job ever? Barista at Regal Cimemas when I was 16 and I loved every minute of it. My first "real" job was driving a fork lift at a muffler manufacturer the summer after high school.
Favorite book? "The Simple Truth" by David Baldacci
Favorite movie? "For Love of the Game"
Comfort food? Pork BBQ
What's in your car CD player right now? 99% of the time I have CNN tuned in on XM, although my MP3 player (I don't do Apple) contains everything from The Band, Frank Sinatra and George Strait.
Next journey? Right now I'm concentrating on finishing my undergrad degree, but then it will be on to a Master's program.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Camping at Sherando Lake (Augusta County)
First political memory? Campaigning with my Grandmother for Town Council when I was in elementary school.
Whom do you admire and why? Cal Ripken Jr. Everyone can learn something from a person who works for seventeen years without missing a day; all the while being at the top of his game.
Best advice you ever got? Where there's a will there's a way. - Whenever I start to doubt that something is possible I think of this quote and of all the people who have done great things despite hardships. It always gives me renewed ambition.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Michelle Obama. It would be interesting to find out how this past year has been from her perspective. I also admire that she is taking advantage of the role of First Lady to do positive things (as many First Ladies have also done).
Describe a perfect day. Any day spent with my husband and son, preferably outdoors and after sleeping in.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I am an avid snowboarder.
Ambition, political or otherwise? To find an avenue, political or not, that will allow me to have a positive impact on as many people's lives as possible- whether it be fundraising for a non profit or running for political office to represent the under represented.
