And oh, did we ever play games.
With children's minds...
A conference of these proportions, run by an organization which had never attempted such a thing before, can create several logistical problems. Each and every one of them was experienced over 4.5 days, and a few more that no one could have dreamed of. As a temporary employee, I was an innocent, caught in the cross fire. My 23 charges, plus the others staying in my hotel, asked me questions to which I had no answer. Such as: When will we eat? or: Why didn't I get my official picture that I paid for? or: Why do I have to sleep on a roll-away when I paid full tuition? [Mind you ,their tuition was like what I pay per term for grad school these days...$2700 or so plus airfare]
Even better were questions like: Where's my bus? In the sea of 200+ buses, that were parked without rhyme or reason, finding them in the bitter cold... pain and suffering, I tell you.
So, yes. I lost a few kids. They were all found again, thankfully. They had to wait in really long lines to eat. They had to wait in really long lines to come into a warm place. They had to wait in really long lines to get on or off the buses.
But, there is good news. For the ones who were awake and interested, they got to hear 3 world leaders talk to them, witness history, and see a great concert.
General Colin Powell said that you don't have to be smart to be a leader...you just need followers. And that military men do not reveal their political leanings, because they are trained to be non-partisan. Mixed messages - yes.
Here is a bit of what he said - the parts I thought deserved some recording:
The Archbishop Desmond Tutu then told us that we are very special people. Or more specifically, that I am a very special person. A VSP, if you will. I really found his speech moving. I think the HS kids were just amused by his humor and little dances. Here is a bit of what he said:
More soon.
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