Over the
course of weeks, I envied the variety of sumptuous dinner plates, drank in
eclectic photographic perspectives of various east coast towns and cities, and
commiserated with students as they put in long hours of critical reading, note
taking, rewrites, debate preparation, and daily blogs. Individual ILC student
blogs continue to relate the fascinating mix of social and academic activities
in which they participated. For example, I never knew a woman could devour 48
hot dogs in eight minutes at the Coney Island eating contest. There were just
29 competitive high school students in the Constitutional Law class at Columbia
University.
Members
of this cohort were not intimidated by subway nor train travel while in New
York. In many cases, this cohort responded to challenging or unusual situations
as a team. As a parent, I would like to take credit for the confidence my
daughter exuded during her ILC experience. However, I am sure her veteran
chaperone, Cheryl Lilhanand provided this group of ILC selected high school
students with the kind of preparatory advice, sage direction, and personal
accessibility that formed them into a consolidated cohort. I thank you, Cheryl,
for graciously managing with care my daughter and the rest of the ILC cohort
for a month in a mega-city at a prestigious university. I am most grateful that
you dealt with my concerns abouth the availability of the reading material with
such aplomb at an ungodly hour, as well.
As a
witness to the blood, sweat, tears, readjustments, advocations, inquiries,
refinements, and commitments of the team of dedicated public servants, private
individuals, professional businesses, and working men's and women's
institutions that continue to steward and fund The Ivy League Connection, I say
to all ILC parents and ILC cohorts that showing our nation's top educational
institutuions that West Contra Costa Unified School District students are
willing and able to compete and contribute in their academic programs is a good
thing! I am most thankful for the kind of program that showcases some of our
best and brightest. Thank you, to all of the people that make this possible.
Now, here is some brief advice
for the ILC cohorts: Education is like a bountiful meal. It is best shared with
others. Please find a way to share your academic and social experiences with
your peers. Let them know that it is all right to want to learn about the world
in some way, that is good to seek help for what is not understood, to stop by a
career center for college info, to attend a college presentation or two, to
join your community in making the environment better. It may seem bothersome,
yet you may be planting a good seed in the heart and soul of another.
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