Awaiting the Future

Wednesday afternoon, I managed to garner a few stray looks by random bystanders on my way to the El Cerrito Plaza BART station.  They were probably wondering why I was wearing a black suit-jacket at the local Starbucks or why I was wearing a red pinstripe shirt.  To be honest, I questioned that choice myself, but this was not the time for second thoughts.  After all, I had a dinner I had to attend.

Pardon my manners, I have forgotten to introduce myself.  My name is Jobel Vecino, a sophomore at Hercules High School.  I am attending the Hotel Operations Management program at Cornell University this summer.

Within half-an-hour's time, the rest of the group had arrived and the formalities had been dealt with.  

I followed Mr. Ramsey as we departed the Embarcadero BART Station and made our way to the restaurant: Town Hall.  The air around us remained cold while conversation was light and frivolous.  Despite the fact that many of us had an AP test the next day, there would be no qualms tonight.  We would enjoy this dinner.

The restaurant was certainly chic.  The second floor dining room was illuminated by candlelight.  The table where I was seated was bordered by open windows, allowing the cool breeze to keep us company.  My fellow cohorts Terilyn and Kevin joined my mother and me, as well as their mothers.

After a few minutes pondering the empty spaces we had at our table, we finally received an answer.  Cornell alumni Jesus Verduzco ('99) and Emily Wyffels ('05) were kind enough to join us for dinner.  As soon as the alumni arrived and began speaking, Cornell no longer seemed like a faraway land on a college brochure - it was every bit as real as the memories Jesus and Emily shared with us.  We learned about the general dormitories, the snow-ridden days, and the great experience that lay ahead of us.

Before the alumni arrived, many of us, myself included, were still on edge about the situation.  It still seemed as surreal as the day we were called into the board room to be interviewed.  But once the alumni explained the nuts and bolts of Cornell and how rigorous and beneficial it was, once the human element had been introduced, I can truly say I feel excited to be going to Cornell this summer.

The 2011 ILC Cornellians striking a pose outside of Town Hall.
Photo courtesy of Don Gosney.

As we conversed with the alumni, Ms. Kronenberg acted as Mistress of Ceremonies for the night.  She called up Taylor and Terilyn to speak to the group, as well as Cornell alumnus Peter Lee ('63).  After the speeches, Ms. Kronenberg had several groups of guests "pop up" for a round of applause, all of which were well-deserved.  Former ILC participant and soon-to-be Cornellian Yueming Wang ('15) also spoke.  Having known Yueming since I was a small child, it was rather strange to wrap my head around the fact that she was going to college, but she reassured all of us that her choice was sound.

At the end of the night, after a lavish dish of catfish and sorbet for dessert, we left, our taste buds and our minds satisfied.  As I watched the nighttime San Francisco skyline, I pondered what this program would hold for the future, a future I am now willing to embrace wholeheartedly.

A Night to Forget

As odd as it sounds, Wednesday night was truly one to forget. With my AP exam looming for the morning after, it was a week filled with stress, anxiety, and worry. However, once we settled in our seats at Town Hall for our Cornell alumni dinner, it was as if I didn't even know what AP stood for.

As I am sure many of my cohorts will tell you, May 11 was the night we would converge with the Cornell alumni so that we could make connections with them. After wise words from the guest speakers, we experienced a wonderful three-course meal that was funded by the same sponsors who continue to help fund every portion of the program.

Throughout the night, I sat with Jobel, Terilyn, and their parents. At our table were also Emily Wyffels and Jesus Verduzco ~ Cornell alumni. It was rather interesting to learn that both of them graduated with an Engineering degree but have yet to use it. It was quite reassuring to realize that while so many students in my school have already made solid plans for their future from their college all the way to their career, being indecisive is not a flaw, but a human quality.

As we mingled with the two alumni, it was quick to learn that they simply “cut to the chase” of typical college inquiries. We were able to “dig down” and learn about their college life and how college society works. From the emotional struggles that will be experienced in one's first year to how and when to rent an apartment off of campus, valuable knowledge was gained from the minds only alumni could bring. It was rather thrilling to hear of the student traditions on campus that college officials would obviously never reveal such as an annual Slope Day celebration and an event where the architecture students would build and burn a huge phoenix and dragon.

Because the night was filled with excitement, enlightening words, and exquisite food, it truly makes it a night to remember as well.

Everything Old is New Again

The 2011 Cornell cohort of The Ivy League Connection joined with ten local Cornell alums who were able to share with them the vast knowledge they've accumulated about attending Cornell.

Whether it was learning from the youngster Rachel Reichenbach ('10) or the 'youngest' alum in the room Irma Anderson ('55), our young Cornellians were soaking it all in.

Although Bill Vederman ('63) and Peter Lee ('63) were classmates, one was able to tell our cohorts about the excellent engineering program at Cornell while the other was singing the praises of the Hotel Management program.  Both seemed convinced that their programs were the real shining stars at Cornell.

Then there was triple major Doug Mitarotonda who finally shed his shy inhibitions and regaled his tablemates of the ins and outs of making the Cornell experience one for the ages.

While the interaction of the young and old were of great value and the main purpose of this gathering, the fine food served at Town Hall didn't hurt.  Fine food, good company and a common bond and purpose made for a fine evening and a grand event.

The (School Board) Enlightenment

With the sun glimmering off of our skin on a warm Wednesday evening, the Ivy League cohorts and I were mingling outside of Lovonya Dejean Middle School. While most humpdays are simple reminders that the mounds of work on one's table are due at the end of the week, this particular Wednesday was a reminder that being part of the Ivy League Connection is most certainly not a free vacation, but an honorary program in which the school district and sponsors see huge potential within the futures of its students.

Once we were all called inside, I saw the stage in the multi-purpose room filled with tables end-on-end with microphones beside each chair and a giant timer across a podium. This entire set-up felt as foreign as a South American jungle. It was my first time attending (let alone watching) a school board meeting, so I didn't know what to expect.

Little to my surprise, the main focus of the meeting was to recognize the ILC and its accepted students. Many of these faces were familiar and I was quite delighted to see some classmates in the program whom I didn't know were even in it.

Each chaperone went up to the podium to announce which group of the program they were representing and many of the insights and anecdotes these adults shared were entertaining to listen to. In fact, various alumni of the ILC went up to share their tales. Yueming Wang's experience at Cornell was perhaps the most memorable for me.

Amusingly enough, the fact that these courses will be very difficult has been drilled into our heads so many times that when Yueming went up to that podium and talk, I was already desensitized. It was enough that when she shared the specific struggles at Cornell, I simply shrugged my personal concerns of my class off of my shoulders.

When the sponsors were to be recognized as well, it actually shocked me that these were not corporations or large businesses that helped fund the program, but citizens who actively participate in the community.

It's not as if I did not have any appreciation for the Ivy League Connection prior to May 4, but when the meeting concluded, I left as a scholar who appreciated the program ten times more.

Just a Teaser

The 2011 Ivy League Connection cohorts, their chaperones and parents gather for a group photo after being presented to the West Contra Costa Unified School District on May 4th.

Stay tuned for more photos.

My "Birthday Party" at the Hercules Public Library

April 21 2011: my 17^th birthday.

My birthday morning was spent at the Hercules Public Library learning all there is know about blogging from the one and only Don Gosney. The tutorial lasted a solid 2 and a half hours and was very enlightening. As a student who has never blogged before, Don’s crash course was extremely necessary.

Genevieve Simmons and I arrived early to assist Don and a few other students in preparing the room for the session. The Library’s white room, Don’s projector, and the dull light of computer screens set the stage for the morning. The session commenced promptly at 10:30 A.M.

Don kicked off the session with a run down of what he would be covering. Topics such as: “Blogging 101”, “Photography”, and “This and That” entertained the morning. With each category came new knowledge for me. As comfortable and confident as I thought I was with computers, Don put my knowledge to shame with his vast knowledge about everything involving the programs of blogging and computers in general. Thankfully, though, he was kind enough to bestow all his wisdom on us eager students, and we soaked it up like sponges.

I am very thankful for Don’s crash course, it gave me the necessary knowledge an helpful tips on how to prefect my blog posts.

Blogging and Picnicking in Hercules

Aside from a shaft of light coming through a small window, the meeting room in the Hercules Public Library where the Ivy League Connection blog tutorial was taking place was bereft of any light other than the glow of multiple computer screens. Sounds were limited to typing, a few whispers, and Don’s lecturing voice- but only after a serenade to my cohort Taylor Doty with everyone singing her happy birthday!

Our tutorial agenda included the following headings: Blogging 101, Photography and This And That. We covered most everything you could imagine about blogging, from simple formatting rules and tips to spicing up our posts by adding graphics. I found most of this information review as I am fairly comfortable with using computers, but Don's expertise on photography was good insight as well as what is necessary on manipulating photos.

The rest of the time was spent with a brushing-up of ILC responsibilities, future dinner obligations, and looking ahead to all of our respective trips this summer. Kelly pretty much sums up my fellow Cornellians and my enjoyable jaunt in the park afterwards. This fun get-together certainly was a sign of many good times to come.

I also wanted to add a small note about the information session I attended on Chicago University at El Cerrito High, hosted by Callie Brown. It was nice to have a chance to meet her before this summer, and I look forward to being able to ask her more questions about the wonderful information she provided us about Chicago University!