"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
2009 Seattle Leader Week: A Life-changing Experience
This June 21st, 2009, the '08 Hamilton Award Winners traveled to Seattle to attend the Third Annual Seattle Leader Week. After all six days were completed, the attendees agreed that the week was “a life-changing experience!” The 26 attendees represented 19 states and brought a variety of experiences and knowledge to the week.
“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 any goal and overcome any obstacle, but I also made lifelong friends who I cherish.”
Throughout the week students were involved in various sessions focusing on goal setting, vision, personal development and career exploration. Alex Hsu, from Andover, Massachusetts, was amazed by how much she learned about herself from the Leader Week sessions.
“I can’t even explain what this week has given me,” Alex said. “With the opportunity to look toward the future, I had to step back and examine what makes me who I am, and how I can turn that into goals, and eventually execute those goals.”
Sunday, June 21st The enthusiastic group of students arrived on Sunday. After getting situated in the dorms at the University of Washington and taking time to meet each other, the students were given an introduction and program overview from Hamilton Friends’ president George Cox.
Monday, June 22nd Monday began with a crowd pleasing keynote address by George Cox in character as Alexander Hamilton himself, followed by a session on American heritage. Later that day, Kelly Herrington, Director of College Counseling at University Prep spoke to the students about the transition to college. Hamilton Friends’ Communications Associate, Anna Renzetti brought a unique panel of college students together who shared their personal experiences and words of wisdom on college life with the "soon to be freshman" Hammie Winners. After a day filled with lectures and discussion, the students enjoyed a memorable evening, cruising and dining on a boat cruise around Lake Washington.
Tuesday, June 23rd To start the day Joslin Boroughs, Hamilton Friends Director of Operations, presented on the importance of goal setting, which included a special discussion lead by ‘06 Hammie Winner and Hamilton Friends intern, Danika Young. During this session, students got the opportunity to share what is called a vision statement. Hamilton Friends wants its students to create a vision statement in order to set a broad plan of their hopes and passions to assist in grounding them and achieving success. After Tuesday’s class time, the students headed out for a grand tour of the Emerald City, stopping to see some of Seattle’s most well known landmarks. The beautiful day began at Gasworks Park, which included an outdoor lecture by George Cox on debt issues that young people face today and continued with a glimpse of the Seattle Troll, an exciting stroll through Pike Place Market and a monorail ride to the Seattle Center for the last look at Seattle from the top of the Space Needle.
“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,” said George Cox.
Wednesday, June 24th Wednesday was filled with classroom activities. High school counselor Evan Hatch and Totem Middle School teacher Chris de Leon helped the students develop personal goals. In the afternoon, they prepared their seven-year personal development plans, which is a detailed plan where the student sets goals to get to where they want to be. In addition, the students worked with Seattle poet and University of Washington professor, Linda Clifton. Linda helped the students visualize their future through the medium of poetry. Later in the afternoon, world-class adventurer Helen Thayer gave her presentation “Polar Dream” talking about her solo journey to the Magnetic North Pole with a pet dog named Charlie. Mrs. Thayer explained that with her thorough planning and preparatory goal setting she was able to focus and overcome the obstacles that she faced on her expedition.
“Each of our presenters, whether it was Linda Clifton, Helen Thayer, or any of the others, had 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.
Wednesday evening was spent at Seattle’s Golden Gardens Park, where students played soccer, jammed on the drums around a camp-fire and indulged in smores. As the night came to an end, students gathered around the fire to reflect on the week and share some 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 of them.”
Thursday. June 25th Thursday, was an extremely emotional day. After a presentation on strengths and weaknesses by Bill Thomas, a session called “When Life Throws You a Curve” took up much of the morning’s time. Moderated by Carolyn Cox, this is a sharing session where two Hammie Winners were able to share their struggles and how they overcame them. California’s Hedy Chen talked about moving more than 10 times during her childhood and often having little income to get by. Hedy made the best of her life’s obstacles and attributed getting to Berkley to her father who always made time to be with her. Also, Minnesota’s Cody Graham shared his story, saying that he struggled with a speech impediment at a young age but he was inspired by his speech pathologist to get involved in student leadership to overcome his fears of speaking. Now Cody is a great speaker and has won a national award for one of his speeches. Other students shared the difficulties they have faced and how they have overcome or are dealing with their problems. After this session, students took time to give support, hugs, and encouraging words to those who shared; one of the most moving moments of the entire week. The students concluded class time with sharing their personal development plans.
Thursday evening was spent at the Third Annual Hamilton Leaders Gala, a magical celebration for the students and their achievements. Held in the evening at The Ruins, a Seattle supper-club, over 100 donors, volunteers and supporters enthusiastically attended the Gala. Two students, Teyloure Ring of Sequim, Washington and Cesar Alvarez of New Town, North Dakota shared their personal development plans. The combination of interacting with students and viewing a slideshow of the week’s events gave Gala attendees, a better understanding of the Hamilton Friends Association. Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna concluded the evening with an inspiring keynote address on leadership.
After the Gala, the students lingered at The Ruins, taking in one of the last moments they would have together before returning for their final evening at the University of Washington.
Friday, June 26th Friday morning, final hugs and good-byes where made and the 26 students returned to their homes with a week of memories and new friends, eager and feeling ready to enter college in the fall and to begin the second year of the Hamilton Leaders Academy.
“Thanks to Hamilton Friends I will enter college in September as a confident, energized freshman, eager to pursue my dreams and armed with tools necessary to achieve them!” said New York’s Paulina Karpis.
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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
