"Hamilton Friends challenged us to do more than we thought possible and to rise to the challenges we face as a society today."
-Danika Young, '06 Hamilton Scholar
Third Annual Seattle Leader Week a Success
In June of 2009, twenty-six Hamilton Award Winners, traveling from nineteen states across the country, convened on the University of Washington campus for the Third Annual Hamilton Leader Week in Seattle. The week included focused seminars and presentations designed to create a life-changing experience that will reveal and nurture the unique leadership potential of each Hamilton Scholar.
“I have been to numerous leadership conventions, but not one quite like the Hamilton Leader Week,” said Rachel Brill of Boynton Beach, Florida. “Not only was I empowered to reach my goals and overcome any obstacle, but I also made lifelong friends who I cherish.”
Day 1 After a full day of travel the enthusiastic students got situated into dorms and were given a program overview by Hamilton Friends President, George Cox. The rest of the evening was devoted to enjoying the new friends they had “met” via telephone conferences during the previous year.
Day 2 The second day of the leader week began with a crowd-pleasing keynote address by George Cox who assumed the persona of Alexander Hamilton. “Mr. Hamilton” led a session on American heritage so scholars could learn more about the life and times of the organization’s namesake. Kelly Herrington, Director of College Counseling at University Prep, helped the students understand how to prepare for their upcoming transition into college. Hamilton Friends Communications Associate, Anna Renzetti, assembled a panel of college students with varied backgrounds who shared their experiences and words of wisdom with the soon-to-be college freshmen. After a day filled with lectures and discussion, the students enjoyed a memorable evening on a boat cruise around Lake Washington.
Day 3 Joslin Boroughs, Hamilton Friends Director of Operations, started day three with a presentation on the importance of goal setting. During the seminar, ’06 Hamilton Scholar and Hamilton Friends Intern, Danika Young, led a discussion that helped students construct their personal vision statements. The exercise allowed students to create a guiding statement that will guide them as they set and achieve goals. In the afternoon the students toured some of the Emerald City’s most well known landmarks including Gasworks Park, the Seattle Troll, Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
Day 4 High School counselor Evan Hatch and Middle School music director Chris de Leon started day four by helping students develop personal goals. By the afternoon each student had outlined a detailed seven-year personal development plan that included goals and objectives meant to help them realize their vision for the future.
The ’09 Hamilton Scholars also worked with Seattle poet and UW professor, Linda Clifton, who helped the students visualize their future through the medium of poetry. The afternoon ended with a talk from World-class adventurer Helen Thayer who talked about her solo journey to the Magnetic North Pole with her dog, Charlie. Her lively story of how detailed planning helped her to overcome even the toughest obstacles surprised and inspired the students.
Scholars spent the evening at Seattle’s Golden Gardens Park where they played soccer and gathered around a campfire to reflect on the week and share caring words for one another. “[At Golden Gardens] we all came back at the end of the night to circle around, become one, and get even closer,” said Patrick Foster from Sachse, Texas. “It was such a great feeling to be around a fire and feel something so natural...I felt extremely close to everyone and I had an individual bond with each person.”
Day 5 Day five began with a presentation on strengths and weaknesses by Bill Thomas. During the following class, Hamilton winners were able to push aside their fears and share personal stories of struggle during a revealing session facilitated by Carolyn Cox. At the end of the morning supportive hugs and encouraging words were evidence of how close the 26 students had become in a short time.
The final evening was celebrated with over 100 donors, volunteers and supporters at the Third Annual Hamilton Leaders Gala. The evening was one of good food, good conversation and inspiring stories and was highlighted by Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna’s inspiring keynote address on leadership.
Day 6 The day began with hugs and good-byes as the 26 students returned to their homes. A week of memories, new friends and new-found leadership skills launched each student into a successful freshman year of college in the fall.
New York’s Paulina Karpis is grateful for her experience. “Thanks to Hamilton Friends, I will enter college in September as a confident, energized freshman, eager to pursue my dreams and armed with the tools necessary to achieve them!”
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"I had an amazing time in Quetzaltenango. This trip affected me more than any other experience I have ever had in my life... I gained an entirely new perspective on life and I thank Hamilton Friends for providing me with the opportunity to do so."
-Jillian Ogren, '07 Hamilton Scholar and Guatemala Leader Week attendee
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Seattle Leader Week SLIDESHOW!
CLICK HEREto see a slideshow of the 2009 Seattle Leader Week.
Alexander Hamilton Friends Association | 216 1st Avenue South, Suite 345 | Seattle, WA 98104 | 206-774-0764 | contact us
