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.