I Can't Wait!

"Yeee-aaaahh!" Gwennie Gilbert-Snyder screeches and jumps around, facing me. She sighs relief as she registers that it is just me. It turns out she is easy to scare.    

And so the Ivy League Connection Orientation begins.

The Brown Flag That Marked Our Meeting Place

We all gather towards the front of Pinole Middle School's Auditorium to hear Don Gosney begin the meeting. Congratulations are given, and it is pointed out that we are at the end of the beginning that was filled with paper work, professional outfits, and interviews. We are so close to summer, to being able to hop on a flight and DO what we have been working towards all year!

"All around me are familiar faces." This is a good thing, in opposition to Tears for Fear's original intent of lyrics. Alumni, classmates, parents, chaperons, Don Gosney, Madeline Kronenberg and Charles Ramsey fill the room. There are no "worn out places" or "worn out faces." The building is bright and clean, and the people are eager for details, and an ILC experience.  

We are encouraged to showcase our best selves on our trip. To represent our school district well. To be fearless by talking to as many people as possible. To ask questions, and absorb answers. To explore. To come home, and spread our new knowledge around the community. 

I look forward to doing that. 

The Brown Cohort shuffles around the cafeteria in search of our Brown Flag. We find it, and squeeze into a nearby lunch table so that we can hear our chaperon, Ms. Neal, explain our itinerary and plans. The other Brown Chaperon knows a theater lighting professor at Yale, and said she could look into us talking with her. I love the performing arts, so this excites me greatly!! 

"EL CERRITO HIGH SCHOOL!" We chant this a few times towards the end of the meeting to embed our departure location into our memories. My older sister Natalie participated in the ILC last year and I remember waking up around 2 in the morning to drive her to the high school. It was so easy to have to only drive five minutes to bid her off. I am glad we have the same luxury this year!