School Board Meeting

Attending the School Board meeting was really exciting! I was chosen to speak as the student representative for my University of Pennsylvania cohort, and I was excited to do it. I was ready at about 4:30 PM, and my dad and I left to the School Board meeting at 5:15 PM. We got there early, which means "on time," according to Mr. Hillyer my chaperone, and I waited with my dad for the meeting to start. Around 6 PM Mr. Hillyer took the University of Pennsylvania group outside to introduce himself, get to know us a little bit, and to brief us on what the night would be like. Mr. Hillyer spoke about his position as an AP History teacher at DeAnza High School and his involvement with the school's baseball team. Jun, Mike, Kai, Hannah, and I all introduced ourselves to Mr. Hillyer and exchanged cell phone numbers. After a brief "get to know you" chat, we all went inside to socialize and meet the other Ivy League Connection scholarship winners for the other schools.

At 6:30 PM everyone sat down as the Board meeting started. I have attended a School Board meeting before, so I was used to the process. After roll call, some speakers, and a couple of changes to the agenda, it was time for the Ivy League Connection to present themselves to the Board. Each school went up separately, with the students and chaperone, and introduced themselves. The chaperone would speak first, then the student representative would speak, and finally all of the students would introduce themselves by stating their names, their grade, and the school they attend. When my group went up, Mr. Hillyer said a quick introduction and then I was up to speak. I went up to the podium, with my heart beating fast, and I began my speech. I was a bit nervous, but everyone's encouraging words before I went up helped to ease my nerves, and I delivered my speech successfully. One minute and 40 seconds later, I finished my speech and my cohorts introduced themselves. We all went back to our seats and listened to two more schools introduce themselves.

After this the people involved in the Ivy League Connection, such as the people who fund our trips this summer, went up to the podium to be congratulated and two men spoke about their roles in the program. After Don took a group picture of them, Mr. Ramsey and Ms. Kronenberg spoke about their experiences with the Ivy League Connection and about its early beginnings. After they had finished speaking, all of the students, along with chaperones and parents, were placed into positions at the corner of the room for a picture. After the picture, my cohorts and I met with Mr. Hillyer again to introduce our families to him and to say a quick goodbye. Attending the School Board meeting and being recognized through certificates was thrilling!