Today was the day of the Ivy League Connection's long awaited School Board Meeting. The meeting, which was hosted within the auditorium of Richmond's Lavonya Dejean Middle School, was slated to begin at 6:30 PM. However, since Don required that all ILCers and their accompanying parents arrive half an hour early, I found myself arriving at the school at 5:45 PM, alongside my mother.
Upon my arrival, I joined the other members of my cohort as well as my chaperone, Mr. Chan-Law. I was glad to to see the other girls again, especially since this was the first time we've all been together in quite a while. Though we didn't have much time to socialize, I feel as though the girls and I are going to get along great this summer. I was also ecstatic to be able to reunite with my previous chaperone, Mrs. Lilihand, who had supervised me during my time in 2012 Columbia cohort.
The School Board Meeting began at 6:30 PM as planned, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. Next came roll call, with the Ivy League Connection's very own Mr. Ramsey and Mrs. Kronenberg being amongst the many distinguished members of the School Board. Another notable attendee was a student representative from Gateway to College Program, an alternative high school program for troubled students that takes place on the same college campus as Middle College High School.
The Ivy League Connection was scheduled as the second agenda item, following a brief discussion the future of a educational program that sought to support expelled students. The Cornell cohort was fourth set of ILCers to stand before the School Board, with the two Brown cohorts and the Columbia cohort preceding ours. The other girls and I stood, Cornell flag in hand, as Mr. Chan-Law proceeded introduce each of us as well as courses. Afterwards, Michelle gave a wonderful speech wherein she thanked all of the Ivy League Connection's sponsors and supporters. She then explained how much of an impact Ivy League Connections has on not only its participants, but the community as a whole. After my cohort had finished it business, the procession moved onto the cohorts of the University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt, and finally, Yale.
With the end of the introductions, came the beginning of a collection of speeches. Orators included a few generous benefactors of the Ivy League Connection; four veteran ILCers who have now become students at various Ivy Leagues; and Mrs. Kronenberg. Don was the last speaker of the night, and he gave a rousing speech on the importance of giving back to the community. All of the night's speakers gave powerful, eloquent speeches that accurately represented the true meaning of the Ivy League Connection; a revolutionary program that seeks to inspire and better entire communities through the nurturing of a select few student leaders.
The end of Don's speech marked the end of our time with the School Board, whereupon we were hurriedly ushered to the corner of the auditorium for annual Ivy League Connection group photograph. After getting everyone positioned and poised, Don proceeded to take a series of photographs. Once Don was satisfied, we were free to do as a please and the night finally came to a close.
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