Countdown Till Nashville

Today, Tuesday, July 3rd, makes 166 days since I first entered the interview waiting room with Ana by my side both of us anxiously waiting for our turn to show the panel why we would be a good choice for an Ivy League Connections scholarship. Since that day, when we walked out of the room into the dark cold air as the newest members of the ILC, Ana, Anna, Hawi and I have attended several ILC events, written quite a few blogs, and exchanged countless emails with Don and each other, all in preparation what will begin in a little over 24 hours. These last few days have been filled with a different preparation, the kind that includes a lot more suitcase zipping than form filling.

Beautiful Bay Area summer morning from a few days ago

Walking around the streets of San Fransisco, you have likely seen or heard the witticism, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” I have always found this take on the city’s climate to be a bit extreme but the point reads clearly, San Francisco and the Bay Area as a whole does have what most Americans would recognize as a typical summer.

In fact, when my sister and I were younger and would complain about the heat during the few hot days a year we have here, my mom used to tell us that what we were experiencing wouldn't even be considered, “hot,” in Nashville. As a young kid I had an image of the city in my head as being a sweltering miserable place, akin to the face of the sun, and while I now know this isn’t quite true, it will be 105 degrees when we step off the plane, which is not a laughing number. Because of this, one of the major elements in my preparation for the trip was ensuring that I had enough warm weather clothing. I remember Cameron Grant (a former ILCer who attended Vanderbilt last summer) telling me that she found long jeans to be pretty much useless in the scorching weather, so more shorts were in order. 

The offending chipped wheel

While making sure that I had the right apparel for the trip, or at least what I hope will be right, another important aspect of preparation was sorting out the loner items that I would be borrowing from the ILC. One of the coolest things about the Ivy League Connection is that not only are you receiving a full scholarship to attend a course across the country, but you are also provided with virtually anything you could need for the trip. For me, this included a larger suitcase instead of the carry on sized bag I have, a laptop backpack to serve as my carry on, a laptop case, and several other helpful items that I did not already have. Don personally delivered all of this to my door, including a second suitcase when I found that the first one had a broken wheel. That probably would not have been a fun discovery to make as I tried to drag the nearly 50-pound bag through the Oakland Airport, so I am thankful that my excitement got the better of me and I fully packed a few days early. And of course, I am very grateful that Don was able to come to the rescue with a down to the wire rush to the storage facility before they closed for the holiday, preventing me from being up a creek without a wheel. Thanks, Don! 

A few of the loner items (most are packed inside)

After receiving all of my loner Items it was time to really get packing, this was not terribly eventful for me as I have always been a light packer, no shoving or sitting was necessary, so I won't bore you with the details of me deciding which way to fold my shirts. 

A more interesting thing I have done for a long time in order to prepare for any kind of trip is to get ready to be apart from my dogs. My entire life I have grown up with dogs and they have always been extremely important to me. I look forward to seeing their faces in the mornings, when I get home from my day, and really just at any time at all. Consequently, the camera roll on my phone is frequently dominated by their adorable smiles, and like almost any pet owner, I miss my dogs like crazy when we are separate. I have found that when I have to leave my furry friends for an extended period of time, it really helps to have a recent picture of them to look at while I’m gone. I made sure to do this ahead of departure with my mom acting as a photographer so that I could get both Rosie (the big terrier) and Bean (the little terror) into the photo with me. There were quite a few outtakes as neither of them appreciate the practice of holding still for pictures. I think I may be beginning to understand what Don deals with when he takes group photos of all of us.

A few from over the years, earliest on the left, yesterday's on the right

It is now Wednesday, the 4th of July, and between engaging in patriotic celebratory activities, I am bouncing around like a ball of anxious anticipation, trying to ensure that I don't forget anything. 

Don emailed us this morning with an essential packing list which has proved to be extremely useful already as I had almost forgotten my flip-flops. Since then, I have taped it on both the door of my room and our front door. Unfortunately, I am one of those people who would forget my head if it wasn’t attached to my shoulders, so over the years, I have managed to leave quite a few things in various places while traveling. On the way out of Washington DC when I was 12, I accidentally left my suitcase on the wrong side of security and did not realize it was missing it until we got to our gate. When my mom went to retrieve it, she had to go backwardthrough security, only to find my suitcase taped off and encircled by nervous-looking TSA officials. The silver lining of all this is that in recent years I have found methods that work for me to ensure that I don’t forget anything too important. This includes keeping everything in one place, (I packed my suitcase and carry on 4 days early) making lists, (I have 6 separate ones now including Don’s) and spending a day making sure that every single essential I use is on some list and packed. 

All that is left to do now is enjoy my Fourth of July, go to bed super early, which will hopefully work out due to the several days I have spent slowly adjusting my sleeping schedule, set my alarm, and make sure to use my “morning of” checklist when I wake up. 

Some 4th of July custard made by my dad

I am so incredibly excited for Nashville and seeing all the wonderful people that I will be spending my time with there. Meeting the other ILCers and our chaperones, and going through the more than 6-month process, that started long before the interview waiting room with Don’s presentation in our echoey gym, have all led up to what will happen in only a few hours now. I counted down first the months, then the weeks, then days, leaning, growing, and making new friends, and now the time has arrived. Nashville, here we come! 

Music City U.S.A.

From the minute you begin the Ivy League Connection’s journey, it is clear that a major part of the program is about broadening your horizons, not only through the classes we take but from really getting a taste of the cities we visit. The application essays and interviews challenged us to talk about new experiences and learning opportunities that we imagined we would have while across the country and far away from home. Now, as ‘lift-off’ day approaches, I could not be more excited to get to Nashville and start exploring. (Well, explore along the lines of our carefully planned itinerary.) 

Before we move into the air-conditioned dorm rooms of the residential hall on the Vanderbilt campus, we have a few days to get to know the city, through food, sights, and of course music. As soon as Don let us know that we would be choosing where we went during our time touring the city with Ms. Sciacca, our Vanderbilt 18’ cohort group-text was abuzz. Differently colored text bubbles flew across the screens of our phones as we eagerly traded ideas, eliminating those that were out of budget or too time-consuming, so as to see as much as possible. 

Without further ado, the Nashville itinerary for our trip will be… (drumroll please) The Country Music Hall of Fame, Centennial Park and the Parthenon, breakfast at the famous Loveless Café, as well as some additional time for impromptu sightseeing on the day of our official campus tour.  

Since the 1950s Nashville has been called, “Music City, U.S.A” because it serves an epicenter for all things country music. It is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which was the first tour stop we all agreed on, with idea credits going to last year’s cohort, and to Don, for letting us know about it early on. The official title reads, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It was founded in the early 1960s, and today it represents the highest possible honor for artists, producers, songwriters, and all country music professionals. The Museum features rotating exhibits and is jam-packed with history. Museum mostly provides a window to the past, but this one also speculates about the future of country music, much of which originates right there in Nashville. Unlike a lot of  Bay Area kids, and the rest of our cohort, I grew up listening to country music and still do, so the Country Music Hall of Fame is one attraction that I was immediately drawn to. I predict it will give us clues that will help us understand the musical heart of Nashville. 

Country Music Hall of Fame

Next, a ten-minute drive will take us to Midtown and Centennial Park. Within the park, Nashville has its own full-scale replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon.  Centennial Park, exhibits gorgeous walkways, manicured gardens, and sprawling lawns, and we might even catch some live music.  But without a doubt, its crowning jewel is the Parthenon. Don assures us that Nashville's version is just like the one in Athens, minus the history, and in a lot better shape. The Parthenon’s interior centers around the long-lost statue of Athena Parthenos carefully recreated from scholarly writings describing the one that served as the focal point of its Athenian predecessor. Other similar artifacts are made from direct casts taken of the originals. It's easy to see why Don spoke so highly of it.  

Full-Scale Parthenon and Centennial Park

When we began discussing what to do and see while in Nashville, one of the first things I did was ask my mom what she would recommend. She lived in Nashville for a few years during college and worked as a waitress there, which in Nashville means you probably met someone famous. Her biggest claim to fame is waiting on Tom Petty. I asked her about what her favorite things to do while there and she immediately brought up Loveless Café, a great breakfast spot right off campus. Besides having legendary biscuits, the establishment is infused with history and boasts up to 1,500 guests a day. The classic southern food is made entirely in-house and by hand, just as it was when it opened more than 60 years ago, starting out as a tiny lunch spot on what was at the time, the only road between Nashville and Memphis. I can't wait to have breakfast at this historic establishment and try at least one of the more than 5,000 biscuits they make each day. 

The iconic sign outside of Loveless

Finally, we will have a bit of extra time to explore the city, with our hopefully air-conditioned rental car. One site we will most likely try to visit is Music Row, a neighborhood in  Nashville, bordering the Vanderbilt campus, that is where all the big record deals in country music get made. Music Row is full of recording studios, including the famous RCA Studio B inside of which legends like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton recorded some of their greatest hits, some of which are even open for tours. Even Taylor Swift got her start in the area, and it symbolizes opportunity to make it big for many emerging artists. Music Row is full of Nashville-centric shops as well, which would be perfect for finding the right souvenirs for family and friends back in California. 

"Real Country Music Lives Here," Music Row

Gearing up for our trip and all the amazing things we will get to do before our time at Vanderbilt even begins has shown me how Nashville is a city steeped in music, history, and good food, that will surely be an incredible experience for us California kids.  

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! 

Meeting the School Board

"Greetings trustees, Superintendent Duffy, and staff..." I rehearsed as I paced back and forth within the confines of my room.  Tonight the Ivy Leauge Connection was being recognized by the West Contra Costa Unified School District School Board, a school board I was all too familiar with. Having just ended my term in May as a student representative, I reminisced the days of Rosenberg's Rules of Order and hours of public comment. Dressed in my grey pantsuit (I had a distaste for black clothing that night), I was ready to convey the true meaning of the ILC to our school district and our community.

The podium.

Weeks prior to our meeting with the school board, Don informed us of the expectations for the night. We were allocated five minutes of time to address the board and required to dress business casual to maintain a sense of professionalism. With our time constraints, we were limited to one representative per cohort to speak before the board.  I volunteered to speak on behalf of the Vanderbilt cohort to shed a light on the role the ILC plays within our community. Shreejal represented the UChicago cohort and had extensive experience speaking publicly. 

Upon arrival at Lovonya Dejean Middle School, both cohorts were briefed by Don and given a rundown of the night. Our item was early on in the agenda, so we had to take extra measures to ensure that we were prepared. The multipurpose room was buzzing with a passionate energy. Many community members were gathered to advocate for their respective agenda items. The vibrant aura in the room was an indicator of the lively night to come. 

Me, speaking before the board.

The cameras went live as the board members trickled in from closed session. All eight of us were seated in the front row, proudly carrying the ILC banner (to which Don pointed out that there were no Ivy Leauge logos on the banner to avoid copyright infringement) Following a short introduction from President Valerie Cuevas, we all shortly rose to pledge allegiance to the flag. After roll call and an adjustment of the agenda for the night, the meeting was called to order. Prior to our presentation, we tuned in to an honor ceremony for teachers in our district and a report of findings by an organization based in Richmond, California. Before we knew it, it was our time to speak before the board. 

Don, Shreejal, and I walked up to the podium to address the board, the public, and the hundreds of community members watching the meeting on their television. After Don introduced the ILC, it was our turn to speak before our school district.

The ILC carrying the banner.

Shreejal spoke first, highlighting the promise of the ILC and what their trip to UChicago will entail. It was now my turn to speak. Standing before television cameras and the public was a bit intimidating but I was motivated by the ILC and its mission.

Before the podium, I spoke about our duty as ILCer's to give back to our community and present our insights gained on the trip. I shared the long endeavor our cohort faced to get here and shared our excitement to undergo a genuine college experience at Vanderbilt. With 75 seconds split amongst Shreejal and I, our content was limited to what time would allow, but following Don's conclusion we finished our presentation to the board with sixteen seconds to spare!

Following our presentation to the board, we all went outside to take a classic ILC picture in the beaming sunlight. As we exited the multipurpose room, we were congratulated by Mister Philips, a trustee on the school board. I found his supportive words welcoming and thanked him for his encouragement.

Our final picture before our trip.

Once we were gathered outside, Don positioned us and our parents for a picture commemorating the ILC. After twenty photos and a bright grin on all our faces, we said our goodbyes before our trip to Nashville and Chicago.

Tonight was a night to remember. It was an honor to share with the Board and the community what the ILC truly represents. Less than a month before we depart the Bay Area and say hello to Nashville. I could not be more excited!

An Evening Before the Board

Since middle school I’d sit and watch the school board meetings on television, my Mom translates for the school district, so my viewing was mostly based on her presence, in particular,  my astonishment of knowing someone broadcasted on television. Wednesday nights, as I sat criss-cross applesauce on my green couch, the big words and abstract concepts spoken by members of the board flew right over my head. However, the part that my bumpkin middle school self could understand was when members of the community would approach the podium and voice their gratitude, complaints, or objective opinions. That has always been my favorite part. Tonight, the Ivy League Connection got the opportunity to speak in front of the board to introduce us scholarship recipients and extend our endless gratitude to the school district. 

My family and I were the first to arrive at  Lovonya Dejean Middle School, not just the first from the Ivy League Connection group, but the first from the regular crowd of school board meeting attendees. When we arrived there were two board members seated on the stage, the camera crew adjusting their paraphernalia, and a man seated at the front table straightening out the stacks of the meeting’s agenda. Soon enough people began to file into the multipurpose room. As usual, when the faces of my lovely cohort and chaperone walked through the door, my posture corrected itself, I shifted in my seat eagerly, and a smile spread across my face. 

As soon as everyone was present, Don laid it on us: we are allotted five minutes for our presentation, first Don will introduce the Ivy League Connection, next Shreejal Luitel will speak for 75 seconds (representing the Chicago cohort), then Hawi Abraham will speak (representing the Vanderbilt cohort), Don will wrap it up with a few last words, and lastly we will go outside for a group picture. 

During the evening,  we sat in the front row, sporting our Ivy League Connection banner. Which, as we hilariously noticed, doesn’t have the actual sigils of the Ivy League Schools, since they are copyrighted. Instead, they are similar sigils, just with minor tweaks: such as the phrase “Go Bears”, surfers riding on diplomas, and unicorns.

Looking over Hawi's speech 

When the meeting started, we listened to members of the community congratulate district employees for their exceptional work and outline the efforts of certain committees. Then, it was our turn. Shreejal and Hawi spoke very well (and very fast), representing the Ivy League Connection stellarly. While they spoke, our chaperones stood off to the side, the UChicago and Vanderbilt cohorts held the Ivy League Connection banner facing the board, and Don hastily took pictures. 

The presentation ended as soon as it started. As we exited the building for a group picture, Mister Phillips, a member of the board, approached us, offered his congratulations and a firm handshake. I was surprised by this thoughtful act since Don mentioned earlier that the board members never bother to come off the stage to take pictures with or congratulate us ILCers. Thanks, Mister Phillips.

Once outside, Don, with his mastery in photography, arranged us by height, gender, and age to produce a great picture. Which evidently, he did. 

2018 Ivy League Connection

As we said our goodbyes, Don reminded us that the next time we will see each other will be at the break of day, with our tired, yet excited faces, pounds of luggage, and sad parents. I can’t wait for that day to come!

Fun in Philly

This July, the Vanderbilt cohort will not only study Novel Writing, Rhetoric, Calculus, and Computer Science in Nashville, Tennessee, but we’ll also venture North East to tour the wonderful city of Philadelphia.

Our journey - digital edition!

Weeks prior to the logistical bombardment, Don advised us to sit down at our computers and research places that we’d like to visit in Philadelphia. He wanted us to construct our own lists then discuss them at our cohort dinner to come up with a collective and finalized one. Putting forth our preferences and coming up with a list, was easier than it seemed. Everyone was cooperative and open, prompting us to whip up a completed list pretty fast. Our final decisions were made based on price (do we want to spend that much money?), popularity(will we be stuck in long lines?), and location (is this a 5-minute walk from the hotel or an hour-long car ride?) - all communicated through our group chat and our dinner.  

Pep, known as "the cat-murdering dog"

For Philadelphia, this is what we came up with: Eastern State Penitentiary, Reading Terminal, Independence Hall, One Liberty Observation Deck, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

The Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) is a former American prison, that operated from 1829 until 1970. Instead of being a site for punishing criminals, it was one of the first of its time to emphasize reform and rehabilitation - with its system of separate incarceration. Prisoners were kept in solitary confinement to ensure that they silently reflect on their behavior. Moreover, the prison was built on religious ideals, with church-like silence for prayer, penance, and reflection, and each cell having a skylight representing the eye of God. Hundreds of prisons were modeled after ESP. 

Interestingly enough, in 1924, the governor of Pennsylvania sentenced Pep, a dog, to a life sentence at ESP after attacking and killing the governor’s wife’s cat. To this day, many believe that Pep was falsely accused and unjustly served life in prison. 

Reading Terminal is a public market, established in 1893, where over one hundred merchants (two of which are descendants of merchants from the market’s initial opening) reside 7 days a week to sell a diverse array of products. Fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, cheeses, meats, sandwiches, and fish to name a few. The market has a grid pattern with stalls for vendors and open-seating areas - so you can choose to stroll the market or sit and enjoy your treasures. 

Reading Market

By George! caught my eye, from the mesmerizing pictures of fresh pasta, cheesy pizza, and its philanthropy - for every cheesesteak bought, a portion of their earnings goes to feed a hungry child. At Herbiary, the scents of soaps, incense, and essential oils are used for aromatherapy and other natural remedies.

Independence Hall, constructed in 1753, is the building where major events in America’s history took place - most notably the Declaration of Independence and U.S Constitution were debated and signed. In 1915, at a convention held at Independence Hall, overseen by former President William Howard Taft, the League to Enforce Peace was formally announced. This organization to promote world peace, would soon evolve into the League of Nations and then the United Nations.  

One Liberty Observation Deck, also known as Philly from the Top, is an observation deck located on the 57th floor of the One Liberty Place in Center City -  the central business district of Philadelphia.  Observers get a 360-degree panoramic view of Philadelphia's skyline - and nearby skyscrapers. In the midst of the bustling city, the observation deck provides a beautiful view at all times of the day.

Panoramic view from the observation deck

Magic Gardens is an art museum with an indoor gallery and an outdoor setup. It prides itself as a site for unconventional artwork, using bicycles, dolls, glass, mirrors - you name it - to create artwork. Before bought, the property was to be demolished and made into an expressway to connect different highways, however, Isaiah Zagar, Philly Magic Gardens founder, saw more to the property. Zagar and his wife rented and purchased several of the buildings on the property and converted them into murals and galleries. With the help of community members, in 2002 he was able to buy the rest of the property. Magic Garden is a site that encourages community, creativity, inspiration, and houses “outsider” artwork from around the world.

One current exhibit is called Alla Abajo/ Down Below: A Reaction to Our Times by Ornella Ridone. Her work features stories of Mexican and American residents, with themes of gender and the lives of women - all embroidered on discarded clothing.  

Magic Gardens - look how cool this is!!

Doing research allows these locations to resonate more with me. As a strong supporter of rehabilitation of inmates, a food enthusiast, someone interested in the foundation of our nation, someone who has an affinity for heights, and an art appreciator, I cannot wait to visit these places in person. 

One Month Till Liftoff

"This orientation is for all the details you forgot to tell your parents at dinner," a lighthearted Don joked as we kicked off our orientation at Lovonya Dejean Middle School on a gorgeous summer evening with a crimson sky. Monday night was the grand finale of all informational sessions (American Idol just ended, please forgive me), which marked our final opportunity to bombard Don with questions before our trip to Nashville. 

May was a month filled with proving calculus theorems, writing 10-page cross-cultural ethnographies, and directing Shakespearian tragedies. The conclusion of finals week at Contra Costa College commenced the beginning of summer break, kicking off the countdown to our time in Nashville. 30 days, 7 hours, and 14 minutes until we head to Vanderbilt and stimulate our minds with the course of our choosing. I am extremely excited to study programming and computer science at Vanderbilt this July. Although I attempt to satisfy my curiosity by self-studying online and tinkering with my computer at home, I have little academic exposure to the discipline itself. I know this course will further my interest in the ever-growing field.

Transportation was a difficult dilemma, as my younger brother coincidentally had an orientation on the same evening. Luckily my father took the night off, taking my brother and preparing my mother and I for a night with the ILC. My mother and I arrived at Lovonya Dejean Middle School at 5:47 PM, slightly early but eager to begin the information-packed evening. Entering the building, the cafeteria-style tables and chairs immediately caught my eye. Lovonya Dejean was a venue I was familiar with. From the months of school board meetings as a student representative, I was used to the rows of foldable chairs for the public. I thank the school for letting us use their multipurpose room and I appreciate Don for choosing Lovonya Dejean because of its central location within the school district, accommodating to all of our transportation needs.

My mom (she's blinking I swear) and I listen to Don's presentation

Don began the night by giving a short speech on the agenda for the evening. He later introduced Vanderbilt and UChicago chaperones, Ms. Sciacca and Mr. Hillyer, respectively. The chaperones introduced themselves and explained the history and purpose of the ILC. Mr. Hillyer mentioned the potential of the students in our school district and how the ILC bridges the achievement gap. Both chaperones shared their prior experience with the ILC and their years within the education system as a teacher. This definitely eased my mother's worries as a parent. Knowing that the chaperones have participated in the ILC before, provided reassurance that I would be in safe hands.

After the warm welcome, Don broke us off into our respective cohorts. We began by introducing ourselves and filling out our final permission slip. We were later briefed about future blogging assignments and the drafted itinerary of our stay. While we had previously discussed locations to visit during our stay, the itinerary reminded me of how much we had planned for the summer. Following the logistics, fellow ILC alumni were brought in to answer any questions that our parents and cohort had. Vanderbilt alumni, Evan Garrison and Jahnvi Doshi, shared reflections of their time in Vanderbilt and in their visit to Philidelphia. I found it relieving to hear the experiences of the students themselves. I was filled with burning questions ranging from the course load to the food itself. My mother also shared her concerns and was reassured by Ms. Sciacca and the alumni.

I gained insight into the many aspects of Vanderbilt Summer Academy. Hearing Evan discuss the freedom and establishment of trust between adults and students, allowed me to understand that this program was a genuine college experience. Jahnvi inspired our cohort to take advantage of all opportunities that come our way for the duration of our stay in Vanderbilt. Evan also shared his ability to wake up at 6 AM every morning to go on runs. I found this to be very exciting, being a runner myself.

Being a few weeks into summer vacation, this orientation served to be a testament to the fulfilling summer to come. Meeting the alumni and hearing from Don and the chaperones, eased many of the concerns and questions that my mother and I shared. One month till liftoff and all that's left to do is pack!

O O O Orientation

Yesterday was the Superbowl of ILC informational meetings, in that it was the last one of the season, with the most people, and there was even a break for halftime. (Can you tell I don't know much about sports?) Regardless, the orientation was extremely informative and left me feeling like our time at Vanderbilt is finally within reach. 

My Dad and I 

Getting to the orientation itself proved to be a bit logistically challenging. As it turned out my younger sister also ended up with a similar school trip that required its own orientation meeting with a parent, and it just happened to take place at the exact same date and time as the ILC meeting. Because of this, our household implemented the divide and conquer technique, and while my sister and mother attended her meeting, my father had his first real experience with the ILC at mine. This was nice because try as I might, I know that if I were to recount all the information I would leave 6 things out and get 4 more wrong. There's a lot to go over when you are staying across the country for a month, so I am happy to leave it up to Don, Ms. Sciacca, and the former ILCers to paint a much clearer picture for my dad, a whole lot faster than I could. 

We arrived, about ten minutes early, to Lavonya Dejean Middle School where the meeting would be held, and walked in to find that Don was still talking to the chaperones. This ended up being great because it gave me and the rest of the Vanderbilt program a chance to briefly catch up.

The meeting began shortly thereafter, with Don covering a basic overview for the evening, and the chaperones formally introducing themselves to all of us. We hadn't yet met the U Chicago chaperone, Mr. Hillyer, and some of our parents hadn't met either of them. It turned out that Mr. Hillyer and Ms. Sciacca actually work at the same school, with Mr. Hillyer in an administrative role, and Ms. Sciacca as an English teacher.

Working in small groups

After the introductions and overview, we split into small cohort groups with our chaperones. This began with our parents finishing the last form of the whole program, (YAY!) and then we moved on to the more fun details of going through the itinerary. We solidified the attractions we are going to visit in both Nashville and Philadelphia, but I won’t go into too much detail about those here because I will be uploading a full post on them shortly, along with the rest of the Vanderbilt girls. For me, the most exciting part of this was seeing the flights and hotel arrangements. Having those dates on paper made it that feel much more tangible. Often times for me the trip seems like this far off thing that I can't quite wrap my head around, but I know what it's like to walk to through the airport and get on early morning shuttles, so picturing doing just that with Anna, Ana, Hawi, and Ms. Sciacca is very exciting.

Next, some former ILCers arrived and we were able to hear directly from them about their experiences in Nashville and with the program. Evan Garrison, who went to Vanderbilt with the ILC last year told us all about his unique experience at Vanderbilt, that unfortunately included a brief hospital stay. Evan was able to answer a multitude of questions about the specifics of life at Vanderbilt, covering everything from the weather to the food, which he explained was one of his favorite parts of the whole trip. He especially recommended a place called “Hog Heaven”, for while we are in Nashville, and while the name does not sound very vegetarian-friendly, Evan assures us that the desserts, and not just the BBQ, are great.

We also had the pleasure of hearing from Jahnvi Doshi, who attended the Vanderbilt program two years ago and the UChicago program last year. She provided unique insight having experienced both, and urged all of us to take full advantage of our time in Nashville, going after every opportunity with 100%. It was nice to hear from her about how much she enjoyed her time in Tennessee and hearing from both her and Evan revealed that the many things do vary year to year, meaning that our experience will be different and special in its own way.

Concluding the meeting, Don talked to us about some basic items for the packing list, reminding us that it is only a matter of weeks before the plans take off to carry us across the country. He then covered some loner Items with examples that we could check out up close. And that brought us just about to the end of the evening, but not without a photo opportunity of course!

Group Photo (It was colder than it looks) 

Overall, I had a great time at the orientation, going over the specifics of the trip, and preparing ourselves as much as possible. I can’t believe we’re are only about a month away and I could not be more excited!

An Orderly Orientation

My Dad, a stingy early bird, always tells me "If you’re early, you’re on time;  if you’re on time, you’re late; if you’re late don’t bother showing up.” He adopted this motto from some famous football coach, who has stunned the world by proving that the lessons learned in football can apply to real life. Football 101 or not, I operate my life by that motto.  

My Mom and I, listening.

As my Mom drove to the orientation meeting, I shifted nervously in the front seat,  my Dad’s (and a football coach’s) words rang through my head. 

We walked into the multipurpose room of  Levonja DeJean Middle School, at 6:00 on the dot ( the time we were supposed to arrive) - we were late. A sea of familiar faces turned our way, as we scurried to find a seat. It seemed that the meeting had just started, but it felt like my Mom and I had missed a large part of it.

Even though we arrived late, the orientation meeting was still as fruitful as expected. I was glad to see  Don, my cohort, and Tori after weeks of slaving over schoolwork, extracurriculars, and standardized tests. Their faces are a reminder of the excitement of the trip; they allow my mind to wander and daydream about the new things we’ll learn, the great food we’ll eat, and the amazing memories that we’ll create in Nashville.  

Evan, imparting his wisdom.

During the meeting, we got down to the nitty-gritty of the trip. First, the UChicago and Vanderbilt cohorts, along with their parents, split up. We then began going over our color-coded itinerary that laid out the details of plane rides, tourist attractions, hotels, blogging schedule, and class dates - making the trip seem less of a dream and more of a reality. To my surprise - and delight - a few Ivy League Connection alumni joined us to share their experiences and offer advice. Evan Garrison and Jahnvi Doshi - Vanderbilt alumni - gave us their first-hand account of the trip. They discussed the more personal aspects of the trip, that can’t be characterized in an itinerary or brochure. Like how Evan woke up at 6 to go on morning runs and was treated supremely at the university hospital after catching a bug or how Jahnvi went to ice cream with her friends after class and accidentally overpacked. Their insight was helpful in getting a clearer picture of the trip, as well as advice for when we get there. I now know that I must take full advantage of the social opportunities presented during VSA. If I have the option to stay in my dorm on a Sunday afternoon with a good book or go out with friends to get dinner - by all means Ana go out with friends, the book will be there in the days, weeks, and months to come, my new friends will not. 

The meeting exemplified Don’s organization and put-togetherness. Our itinerary was color-coded; Don’s clipboard outlined what he wanted to discuss in the meeting; the loaner items were neatly packed in bags, held together with velcro straps, and labeled. I appreciate Don’s ability to run things smoothly, neatly, and be a great communicator. It’s pleasing to know that someone’s life aligns closely with my early bird ideals and moreover - my concept of neatness. Such elements of the Ivy league Connection definitely makes the trip more worthwhile and heightens my anticipation for the trip.

(On a side note, in exactly one month, our trip begins!) 

The 2018 Ivy League Connection

Pizza Party Meet and Greet

Today was the first time that we got to meet Ms. Sciacca, our chaperone for the trip. It was so much fun, and I can’t wait to spend the summer with her and the other Vanderbilt ILCers. 

A little over a week ago Don put us in touch with Ms. Sciacca in order to set up a meeting dinner, as well as to decide on our itinerary for Nashville and Philadelphia. We had heard nothing but good things about Ms. Sciacca from Don, and I was so excited to finally get to see her in person. 

A creative spelling of my name. 

We quickly found out through the process of choosing a restaurant that Hawi, Ms. Sciacca, and I are all vegetarians, which was a huge relief, because although California is pretty herbivore-friendly, I have a suspicion that Tennessee may not be, and it will be nice to have some allies in the food finding game.

We all decided on Mod Pizza in Pinole as the place to go, because of the convenient location (for the majority) and the simple fact that pizza is a pretty universal crowd pleaser. Mod Pizza as a chain is especially nice because they allow each person to create their own custom pizza, which means no bargaining about toppings or compromising on flavors. 

Cameron Grant, who went to Vanderbilt last year with ILC was also able to join us, which was amazing because not only is Cammie my friend, so any chance to see her is always wonderful, but she has also had first-hand experience with what we will all be doing in a few short months, meaning that she can tell us things that even Don doesn't know. It was so nice to be able to hear from her about how much she enjoyed her time at Vanderbilt and a few insider tips on things that we can look forward to, including movies, bowling, and lots of icecream. 

Cammie Cheezin'

Once everyone had arrived we quickly ordered our pizza and proceeded to talk about everything from the itinerary for Nashville and Philadelphia to our schools and future plans. We bonded over pizza of all different flavors, sharing stories, laughing and planning our summer to come. Ms. Sciacca especially brought so much excitement about our trip, as well as her experience with the ILC in the past which was extremely comforting. 

Overall, I could not be more eager to get on that plane and head to Nashville with such an amazing group of people. When I was uploading the pictures of tonight it hit me just how immensely lucky I am to be able to share such a unique and incredible opportunity with Hawi, Ana, Anna, and Ms. Sciacca, I am certain that we are really going to make the most of it. Ms. Sciacca seemed to fit perfectly into our group as we grow closer together, and it was so great to learn more about her. I know that I have said this in almost all of my blog posts, and I am sure I will say it in more posts to come, but today's meeting made the trip seem just that much more real. I am still not sure that it has really sunk in that in just a little over a month we will all be boarding a plane to fly across the country, but I know I can’t wait. 

Can't wait for Nashville! 

Mod Meet and Greet

These past few weeks in school have been very busy; finals, essays, and AP tests have absorbed much of my time and energy. This Meet and Greet has been something to look forward to after long periods of exhaustion; even coinciding with the beginning of that mysterious transition in the school year where the end is approaching, teachers begin demanding less of their students, and everyone seems to have more spring in their step. I'm proud to say that I can now associate Ivy League Connection and my cohort with the wonderful and liberating feeling of the end of the school year. 

After enjoying our pizza!!

2018 Vanderbilt Cohort joined by Cammie

I could already tell that I would adore our chaperone, Tori Sciacca, not only by hearing the great things Don had said about her but also from her text messages. She has such an enthusiastic, positive, and youthful aura - one that was apparent in her text messages and by her choice of emojis. What made me like her, even more, was in the myriad of emails sent, one was regarding how to address our chaperones, as last year's Chicago cohort did, Tori said we could call her Mom!!! This comment made me, mentally, put my hand to my heart and exclaim,"AWWW", like one may do after witnessing a touching act of kindness. 

The 2018 Vanderbilt cohort decided to meet at Mod pizza in Pinole, extending the invitation to ILCers from last year's trip to Vanderbilt. Thankfully we were joined by Cameron Grant, who provided us with insider knowledge on the trip.  

Audrey was coerced into putting
asparagus onto her pizza.

We spent the evening enjoying pizza and discussing elements of the trip: the heat, the humidity, the hot rain, and being in a permanent state of hotness. We even learned to never underestimate the heat and always seek out airconditioned areas. Maybe I'm overstating how much we discussed the heat, but as an amateur in the realms of extreme weather, I think I reserve the right make  90-degree weather a big deal. Albeit, we discussed fun group activities that are part of the summer program, such as organized outings to the movie theater, games of Quidditch, and chess matches. I even learned that great friendships can be fostered during this experience. Cammie made a friend who she is traveling to Mexico with, in a few weeks!  

From this outing, I have made several realizations as well as a list of goals for myself for the trip. First, that I love my cohort, we are a group of fun, kind, clever, and ambitious women, and I already know that we will enjoy each other's company during the summer. Next, that our chaperone is the coolest, and exceeded my initial expectations - definitely worthy of being referred to as Mom. My ever-growing list of personal goals for the summer—go outside my comfort zone, make new friends! Take advantage of opportunities to sleep, I will be kept busy and exhaustion may overcome. And even in the grueling heat, enjoy myself!!