Earlier this evening, my mother and I made our way to DeJean
Middle School where myself along with other participants of the Ivy League
Connection Program would be presented to the WCCUSD School Board. I had never
been to a school board meeting, so I had no idea what to expect. Once we
arrived, I realized just how dedicated and passionate members of our community
are about education. There truly was a buzz of activity. Outside the school, people
held posters to express their support of the continuation of adult education
and Proposition K.
Once inside the building, my mother and I made our way to a
group of fellow ILCers. I quickly found the Women and Leadership group and
joined them. Don explained to us the best way to situate ourselves and how to
hold the flag we would have when introduced to the School Board. After everyone understood what was going on,
we found some empty seats and sat down. We chatted until 6:30 PM when the School Board meeting proptly came to order.
After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, seventeen members
of the community spoke to the School Board in support of the continuation of
adult education. It was inspiring to hear the stories of the beneficiaries of
adult education. For many, English was their second language and just the fact that
they were able to come up and speak about learning English through the adult
education system was remarkable.
After all seventeen people had spoken, it was time for those
involved with the Ivy League Connection Program to be introduced. Each chaperone
spoke on behalf of their cohort and presented each of us separately to the School Board. Next our sponsors, the people who make it possible for every
participant in ILC to succeed, were introduced and thanked by the School Board
and the local community.
After every group had
been introduced, two graduates of the Ivy League Connection Program spoke.
Their speeches were both articulate and inspiring. They reflected upon
everything ILC had provided for them and how much they had gained from the
program. They were challenged, and because of this they grew immensely. ILC
gave them the confidence and knowledge to go out and succeed in the world and
they were confident it would do the same for us.
Mr. Ramsey and Mrs. Kronenberg then made some final
statements about The Program. They emphasized how much The Program has grown
and how it has truly benefited not only those involved, but the entire
community. It is one of a kind, and words cannot describe how honored I am to be
part of it.
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