HSLP 08 Day 9, Sunday July 20

Jul 21 2008 - 9:33am

High School Leaders Program Class of 2008
Day 9, Sunday, July 20
Reported by: Benjamin Ries and Mary Kathryn Atkinson

     After a long week of informative classes, we finally got a day off.  Well, sort of.  By the end of the day we were all hard at work, trying to complete the first draft of our group projects, which are due Tuesday.  For most, the day began around noon after a rare chance to sleep in.  Many Sorensenites took the opportunity to do their own laundry while some bribed others to do it for them.  After getting up, everyone made sure to put on swim gear for the day’s tubing excursion.
     At noon we left for the James River and ate lunch on the bus.  We were surprised to find our transportation to be an adorable city bus rather than the typical Abbott bus we were used to.  After a 45-minute drive, we arrived at the James River.  Some of us forgot closed-toed water shoes and had to resort to wearing old sneakers instead.  We put on some sunscreen (although, as many found out later, not nearly enough) and started down the river.
     We soon learned that the river was rather shallow and contained many vicious rocks.  Nevertheless, the gentle current carried us slowly down the James, giving us all a chance to relax and clear our minds.  As we traveled through the three-and-a-half hour trip some grew restless, including Richard, who successfully knocked Madison out of her float.  The two Marries (Mary Kathryn and Maribel) finished at the head of the pack, followed by the nature-loathing Martina, Ladi, Joi, Nathalie, and Amber.
     Our exhausted group sat back and enjoyed the drive back to Charlottesville.  Some even enjoyed a quick nap.  Upon returning, we were greeted with a delicious feast of Chinese food.  Everyone (hopefully) took a shower and spent the evening working on group projects.  Quite a few of us were sunburned all over from spending several hours in the midday sun.  All pains aside, it was a great day, and we are looking forward to our final week!
— Benjamin Ries of Roanoke, Patrick Henry High School Class of 2009
     Mary Kathryn Atkinson of Java, Chatham Hall Class of 2010