Board Meeting Extravaganza

Today marked the last meeting before its wheels up for Nashville. We all convened at a West Contra Costa Unified School District Board meeting to thank the Board members for their support of the ILC and let them know just how excited we are. The meeting also gave us an opportunity to stand up before our community and represent not only ourselves but the Ivy League Connection as a whole. 

In the weeks leading up to the meeting, Don let us know that one representative from each cohort would be speaking to the Board of Education, but they would have to be pretty speedy as we were only allotted 5 minutes in total. On the Vanderbilt side, Hawi Abraham volunteered to be our speaker, and Shreejal Luitel did the same for Chicago. Hawi actually serves as a student representative for the Board of Education, so she was no stranger to speaking at these meetings. 

We arrived at the cavernous Lovonya Dejean auditorium where Board of Education meetings are held to find that the long familiar lunch tables had been replaced with a sea of folding chairs, one corner of which was occupied by ILCers and their families. My mother and I reached the meeting at around 6 PM as per Don’s careful instructions and while we sat and waited with Don, the chaperones and the other ILCers more and more people trickled in. 

ILCers Only 

Don called all of the ILCers and chaperones over to the back of the room where space was cleared out, to have a brief huddle about how the evening would go down. The noise level in the room rose to an excited murmur, each person with their own reason for attending the meeting, as we chatted with Don and then each other, getting ready for our moment before the Board. It was so nice to see everyone and catch up from the orientation, especially since we are all now officially on summer vacation. 

As people chattered away to one another, some in jeans and t-shirts, some in suits and dresses, and even one group that was all matching, the Board members took their seats on the stage and the microphones flashed to life. We quickly sat down in the very first row, which Don had helpfully marked off for us with fliers that labeled us in large red lettering, “Some of the finest examples of the youth of our community.” Thanks, Don! 

After shuffling around the giant high-quality canvas poster that sported the Ivy League Connection logo and getting situated in our seats, we quietly waited for our time. Interestingly, Don revealed earlier that the poster that was at this point stretched out in front of us facing the Board was filled with official-looking crests, that were in fact completely fabricated by Don. My personal favorite shows a series of collegiate looking open books that read, “Go Bears,” in dainty cursive lettering. It is crazy to think that we have seen the same image in countless emails and handouts, but none of us ever noticed! 

Subliminal Messaging

Thankfully, we were pretty early on in the agenda, which tonight stretched out seemingly unendingly and it was soon Hawi, Shreejal, and Don’s turn to speak and the rest of our time to raise the poster and our smiling faces to the Board. Don gave a brief introduction and then it was Shreejal who spoke of the opportunity that the ILC had presented him, and reminded us all of the power of education, next Hawi spoke about the responsibility we bear to represent our community, and we all stood transfixed as their voices echoed around the auditorium. Finally, Don concluded with the message that “it's all about the kids,” and the ILCers along with the rest of the room erupted in applause. They even finished with 16 seconds to spare! 

The time had come for the everpresent group photo, this time with our parents, and we all made our way briskly out into the unusually warm evening air. I would like to formally thank Don for taking the time to scout a location that did not have us starring in the fiery bright orb that is our sun. The photo required the typical adjustments and prodding but was over pretty quickly and painless without all the usual squinting, It was soon time for hugs all around, and for us to head home. 

My mom and I spent the car ride back to our house listening to country music, and I couldn’t help but think of Nashville and how excited I am to be there. Even though we were but one five minute presentation, of the hours-long meeting, it was exhilarating to stand before the Board and hear the eloquent speeches made by all three of our speakers. I cannot believe there are only a few more weeks until where are huddled in the dark and cold morning air waiting for the drive to the airport, and I could not be more thrilled. 

Isaac's tie is my favorite!