Hamilton Friends

"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

2010 Seattle Leader Week Preview

The 2009 Hamilton Scholars will attend the Seattle Leader Week this June. The group can anticipate an action packed week filled with leadership training, heritage seminars, financial literacy programming and a chance to explore the city of Seattle.

Students will arrive in Seattle on Sunday, June 27th from across the country. This will be the first time many of our winners have traveled by airplane. Hamilton Scholars will stay at the University of Washington in a residence hall on campus. Throughout their stay students will be surrounded by Hamilton volunteers and staff members ready to make their stay comfortable, fun and enjoyable.

After many months of planning and preparation, Hamilton Friends has developed top notch programming for the 2010 Seattle Leader Week. Leadership, vision development, financial planning and heritage are just a handful of the sessions scheduled for students. We are honored to have an incredible group of speakers who have agreed to meet and speak with our students. Attorney General Rob McKenna will lead a session about values, goals and leadership. A professor from the University of Washington, Linda Clifton, will lead a workshop on writing poetry, helping students utilize creative methods of expression in exploring their stresses, aspirations and future ambitions. Helen Thayer, named "One of the Great Explorers of the 20th Century" by National Geographic, will also speak to our scholars about her journey to the North Pole on foot.

While the students will gain top notch leadership training, there will also be time for fun in Seattle. Students will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Northwest on a cruise around Lake Washington. There will also be plenty of chances to go sightseeing in Seattle with a trip to Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, Golden Gardens and Gas Works Park. During these excursions students will have the opportunity to bond with their fellow Hammies and reflect of their time spent in the leadership sessions.

The week will culminate with the annual Alexander Hamilton Friends Gala held at The Ruins in downtown Seattle on July 1st. This event serves as a celebration of the Hamilton Scholars' completion of the Seattle Leader Week and gives donors a chance to meet these incredible young leaders. The evening is always filled with laughter and fun as the students recount their action packed week.

After six days of intense leadership instruction, students will return to their respective towns and cities. Saying goodbye to each other is always a moment filled with hugs and tears. It is remarkable to see the bonds that form so quickly between students. Empowered to reach their highest aspirations, the students will leave Seattle ready to embark on their first year of college.

Coming Up:

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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!

Coming Up:

CLICK HERE to see a slideshow of the 2009 Seattle Leader Week.