“Wow! Amazing! Unbelievable!” were some of the collective responses of the 25 Hamilton Award winners, who attended the Second Annual Hamilton Leaders Academy in Seattle from June 22-27th. The attendees represented 17 states and the District of Columbia.

Typical of the responses, Leslye Womack of Mission, Texas, wrote, “I had an amazing time in Seattle! Working with…the staff and the other students was a life changing experience. I especially enjoyed writing my personal development plan.” Said Ryan Florek of Olympia, Washington, “I really enjoyed the financial sessions… in which George Cox, AHFA president, discussed how young people can avoid getting into debt during their college years and beyond.” Alyssa Wilson of Altoona, Pennsylvania, wrote, “I left this week feeling more motivated to achieve big things in my life.” John Chen of Geer, South Carolina wrote extensively on his experiences (see www.hammiewinners.org).

Prior to attending the Academy the students developed a personal vision statement. This became the basis for a seven-year personal development plan which each prepared during the Academy.

The enthusiastic students arrived on Sunday, June 22nd. In the evening they got to know each other and board member Bill Thomas and AHFA president George Cox gave program overviews. Monday's sessions began with a crowd pleasing keynote address by Alexander Hamilton himself followed by sessions on Hamilton and his legacy given by local Seattle educator Leo Santiago. Santiago also reviewed the students' personal vision statements.  Later, sessions concerning the transition to college were held by AHFA Director of Operations Joslin Boroughs and high school counselor Evan Hatch. These sessions  included several college students who shared their personal experiences. After a day filled with lectures and discussion the students enjoyed a memorable evening dining and cruising on Lake Washington.

On June 23rd, two scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Drs. Roland Strong and Wendy Law talked to the students about their careers, current research and paths they took to their present positions. This was followed by George Cox's lecture on debt issues and young people. Later in the day the students had lunch at Seattle's Gasworks Park followed by a casual tour of such Seattle landmarks as Pike Place Market, the Space Needle and the Seattle Center.  Said Cox, “This time is crucial to enable our students to get to know each other. This is a four year program that will develop lifelong friendships and career contacts."

Wednesday was filled with classroom activities. High school counselor Kelly Herrington and George Cox helped the students develop personal goals. In the afternoon they prepared their seven-year personal development plans. In addition the students worked with Seattle poet and former University of Washington program director, Linda Clifton.  Linda helped the students visualize their future through the medium of poetry. Late in the afternoon world-class adventurer Helen Thayer gave her presentation “Polar Dream” talking about how she and a pet dog named, Charlie, walked for 364 miles to the North Pole . The students were in awe of Ms. Thayer's achievements. That evening was spent talking about another dog named, Enzo. Enzo is the fictitious narrator of Garth Stein's best selling novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain. Mr. Stein talked with the students about his writing career and setting goals and then gave a reading at Seattle's Elliott Bay Book Store. He autographed copies of his book for each of our Hamilton Award Winners. “Each of our presenters, whether Linda Clifton, Garth Stein, Helen Thayer, Roland Strong or any of the others have two important functions. The first is to facilitate their session and the second is to talk about their career and how they arrived at their present career status or situation,” said Cox.

Thursday, was an extremely emotional day. The first session was called “When Life Throws You a Curve” and was moderated by Joslin Boroughs and Evan Hatch. This was a sharing session, highlighted by Moberly, Missouri's Kayla Aldridge. Kayla has cerebral palsy, but will be the first member of her family to attend college when she enters the University of Central Missouri this fall. Others shared difficulties they have faced and how they have overcome or are dealing with their problems.  It was a very valuable session for everyone. Later former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer reviewed student personal development plans, Bill Thomas discussed how students can identify their strengths and weaknesses and Monterey City Manager Fred Meurer discussed leadership in the context of developing public policy. What an amazing day to end the Leaders Academy!

Thursday evening was a magical celebration of the students and their achievements at the AHFA annual Leaders Academy Gala. It was held at The Ruins, a Seattle supper-club and was enthusiastically attended by 120 people. Two students, Margaret Chiu of Gahanna, Ohio and Kem Chatfield Jr. of Miami, Florida shared their personal development plans. The evening was hosted by Seattle television personality and former Miss Washington USA, Natasha Curry. A thought provoking and inspiring keynote address was given by former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer.

After the Gala, the students lingered at The Ruins for over an hour taking in the magic of the moment before returning to a final evening at the University of Washington. A few hours later, on Friday morning, after final hugs the 25 students returned to their homes with a week of memories and new friends, eager to enter college in the fall and to begin the second year of the Hamilton Leaders Academy program.