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After months of serious deliberation between Governor's
School and St. Albans, which included coin tosses, pros and
cons lists, and advice from anyone who would give it, I
finally came to my senses and made a decision. I decided on
Governor's School. I mean, it made sense. It was in Memphis. I
knew people who were going. And the big one-it was absolutely
free. But for some reason, St. Albans kept nagging at me. I
just couldn't get it out of my head. For days, I kept
wondering "What if...?" Well, one Saturday morning at
breakfast, the "what ifs" caught up with me. "Are you still
thinking about St. Albans?" my parents asked. As I put down my
eggs and nodded sheepishly, I realized my decision had been
made- I was going to D.C.
The second I arrived on the grounds of St. Albans and the
National Cathedral, I knew I had made the right decision. As
soon as I had settled into my room and mingled for a little
bit, the hustle and bustle of the first week began. On Monday,
as we developed our team-building skills while completing a
ropes course, I learned that I am so much tougher than I think
I am. Tuesday night we hung out at W's place, the West Wing,
that is. Two days later was our adventure on Capitol Hill,
meeting with Bill Frist and one of my personal inspirations-
Harold Ford, Jr. Meeting with the legendary Justice Sandra Day
O'Connor on Friday evening was quite interesting.
Justice O'Connor was spirited, kind, and yet feisty as she
answered our questions. We wrapped up the week with a
community service project on Saturday morning. And to think,
the first week was just a taste of what the next three weeks
had to offer. Twenty-nine kids from cities allover the globe
got to rub elbows and talk politics with some of the most
esteemed political figures in the United States. The "Ragin'
Cajun" James Carville, Tim Russert, Lynda Bird Johnson, Andrew
Card, Eight Female Ambassadors, White House workers and
countless others.
Not only were our trips outstanding, but the classroom
experience was like none that I have ever had before. Using
the case study method, we debated and argued current social
issues with passion rarely seen in high school kids. Since
there was no formal grading system, I was forced to decide how
much I wanted out of the program. I could have just blown off
every reading assignment. No one would have known. But I
decided to go a different route. I did my readings and
surprisingly, enjoyed it immensely. I learned so much about
social and political issues, but also the strength of my own
opinions and views. I developed a sense of maturity that I
know will be beneficial in college.
Most fulfilling, however, were the relationships that I
developed. I fell in love with people who were polar opposites
of me. Although we were all from different parts of the
country and even the world, we came together in the very first
week. We shared our experiences, our opinions and our
different cultures. I now have a best friend in almost every
state across the country. I even know a princess from
Liechtenstein.
So, as I stood in the living room of the Chinese Ambassador's
house, listening to one of my fellow students nervously give a
toast, I thought to myself, "How did you say no so many
times?" The relationships that I would have let pass. The
connections that I never would have had the opportunity to
make. Thank God for that Saturday morning at breakfast. |
