25 Years of Play, Synergy, Hope, and Home

“Playing now, the real work starts tomorrow.” This is the text message my colleague, Sarvjit, sent to our High School Principal to accompany the photo of our five HS students ice skating after dinner on Wednesday evening. When I touched base with the students at 10:30 pm, they were still awake and most concerned that they were not registered for SDLC 201. I walked to my room immediately energized by their enthusiasm to be challenged tomorrow, which is today, meaning NOW!

Since last year these 5 students have taken on many equity initiatives at LREI and beyond. All five have led faculty and students in stimulating diversity related discussions, four are Peer Leaders, one is our HS student body president, two traveled to Ethiopia this past summer for an International Youth Leadership Institute, and one was interviewed on CNN, CBS, Ricky Lake Show, Fox News, ABC News, Good Morning America, and Good Day New York as she spoke out against Teen Vogue’s refusal to stop altering the images of their models.

We entered Opening Ceremonies ready to receive and seize the day. The Houston student performances set the tone. As playful as the multicultural dancers and drummers were, the work that went into preparing for the show is a clear indication of what lies ahead. It takes dedication, creativity, failures, discussions, concentration, and a trust in one’s community in order to reach for something greater than what one can accomplish alone, or Synergy. And, who doesn’t love Gangnam Style!

Gene Batiste reminds us that for 25 years we have been challenged, energized, renewed, and welcomed at PoCC. I always feel welcomed to shed my school title in order to share and explore the other identities that make up who I am. The energy that started in the gym at 5:00 this morning and will end late tonight will ride many of us through the challenges we will face. Hope is alive and I am already renewed because

here

is where

Home

is

for me.