Anniversary

One year ago today, I was anxiously awaiting the start of the the most wonderful experience of my life.  I was nervous, worried, scared, and extremely excited. I didn't know what to expect from this new program.  A lot happened over the course of thos four months in Washington.  I grew as a scholar and a thinker.  I became a better friend and a more ethical person.  I loved every minute of it.

As I write this blog post, I write not from Washington, but from my home in Ohio.  Even though I am a good six hour drive from my favorite city, I know that I'm actually not that far away at all.  One year later, I remain friends with everyone from my SEGL class.  I stay in touch with all my teachers.  I've even gone back and visited the school, twice.  That's how much this program matters to me.  That's how much it's made a difference in my life.

A lot has changed in the past year, yet I know that I will always have SEGL and all my friends and teachers to fall back on. The SEGL community has become a part of my family.  I know that whenever I need anything, someone from that program is only a phone call away, always ready to help or just talk.  That's the beauty of it.  Those friendships that I formed are, as cliched as it sounds, everlasting.

I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. Because of SEGL, I am the young woman that I am today.

Thank you to all who made it happen, especially the 16 other Inaugural Spring 2010 SEGLets and the founding faculty members.

Good luck to the new Spring 2011 SEGLets. You have a tough act to follow.

Ethically,
Lesley

Megan's List of Quotes

Finally!! I have in my posession Megan's list of quotes from the semester! Also I have another excuse to blog. You can't keep me away. But before I post this glorious list, good news on the social venture front. I finally have a meeting with the school that I want to work with in Cleveland. Hopefully they like my project and will let me start it at their school. Wish me luck!!

Alright, without further adou:

At the National Gallery of Art:  Everett to Lesley [in regard to portraits]: "Mine's minimalist. Yours is just stupid."

Goodstuff

The Little Prince

The Closet

The Laundary Room

The Congressional

Firehook/Starbucks

Starbs/and other abbreviations

Tik Tok

DuPont

Sweet Green

"I'm sorry!" - Winson

Valentine's Czar

My Dick Jokes

Union Station

Strobe Light

Raves

Dances

Punk/Prep

Milkshakes

Spike

Sign-out Sheets

Groups of Three

No Horizontal

Clothes on, Covers off

Don't get Noah in Trouble

SEGL call

FroYo

Discount

Henry V

Animal Farm

Chore Period

Old Greg

Da Cave

We Vote to Nuke Somalia

CoGoPo

Pi Day

British Elections - Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg, Tony Blair

Hung Parliament

Winson's Gordon Brown

Yoga

Exercise Block

Gym Memberships

No SEGL Babies

Duke TIP poop story

Flooding Toilets

No Bare Feet! (=No Bar Fee)

Vegan

Friday Sick Day

Shots shots shots shotshot shots shots shots shotshot shots shots shots shotshot shots EVERYBODY!

Soccer

Broken Windows

Connections/Networking/SEGL Social

Broken Washer

$5 lunch days

The Economist

The Alarm

Knocking at the Back Door

Ants

Talent Show

Humble

Baked Ziti

Everett's dancing

Dorm Meeting

Morning Meeting

MiniFridge

I wuv you (kyra)

Guuurl (lesley)

42

Caity's singing

Cereal

Metro Cards

30 Seconds to Mars... you still owe me a dollar

Couch buddies

Weekend Planning Meeting

Henry's Bitch

Mafia

Taking the long way home from Goodstuff, sitting on the Supreme Court steps

Games on the National Mall

Snow. Lots of snow. And being the only school open.
 
 
 
*Isabel makes weird hand gesture*
Noah: "What is that?"

Isabel: "It's an 'A'. Can't you see it?"

Noah: "This takes me to my next point: Don't smoke crack."
 
 
 
No horizontal


"mexicans don't have to be horizontal." -Jorge
 
 
If you invest in Shakespeare, it’s like investing in Microsoft in 1985. -Noah




Do you read it out loud? -Noah

I whisper it to myself. –Caity



Noah: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Sophie: President.



“Unless Megan cures it first.” –Winson
 
“…Henry V, who in my view, is a pompous ass…” – Noah




“Shall this his mock mock out of their dear husbands; mock mothers from their sons, you motherfucking bastards.” -Noah
 
"I just pace naturally." -Everett




"Shut up Tracy! I mean... Trevor... " -Henry



"They say that Congress gets nothing done, and I see why. We spent ten minutes discussing how to vote." -Trevor



Sophie: "Any announcements?"

Aaron [excitedly]: "It's snowing sideways!"



Sophie: "Dick Cheney had a heart attack?"

Trevor: "Dick Cheney has a heart?!"



Everett: "How are you?"

Will: "Absofuckinglutely dandy."



"If you guys haven't noticed, the silverware is disappearing..." -Robbie



Robbie: "Who knows the emergency maintenance number?"

Isabel: "911."



"I'm filling in for Heather. She was going to talk about managing your finances, but I'm not cuz I live with a bunch of teenagers." -Robbie



Robbie: "What do you do to de-stress?"

Teddy: "Comb my hair and play soccer."

Sophie: "I breathe air."

Aaron: "I party hardy drink bacardi roll a fat one throw a PARTY!"

Everett: "I go in the closet. Most of the time I'm in the closet."

Jorge: "I cry."
 
"I’m running school meeting today, so if you have anything you want to say, just hit me up and I will put it on the board of whiteness." -Will
"Bright students who go off to Harvard, Yale, God." -Pedersen




Haiti doesn't need a hand-out, it needs a hand-up.



"If she runs the country, I will die!" - Emily, about Caity



Heather: "...chemicals made from eggs."

Everyone: "AIDS?"

Heather: "Eggs."

Megan and Teddy: "AIDS?"

Aaron: "Eggs."

Everyone: "Oh! Eggs!"



"It's basically pants. That's my whole story." -Aaron



"I know we're at the School for Ethics, but I would have killed someone if I had the chance." -Everett, about a simulation we did



"You mean euthanasia, or youth in asia?" -Caity to Megan, about application essay topic



"You learn to speak Spanish and you can pay for your own coffee." -Jorge to Megan



Trevor: "Wouldn't it be awesome if you slept with a person, you would automatically become famous?"

Everett: "Are you still talking about AIDS?"



Noah: "This shirt wasn't cheap. This shirt was $75."

Jorge: "No... this shirt is $5. This logo is $70."



"You can learn so much about yourself by reading the Bible." -Sophie



"My dad keeps our house at 48 degrees to save the world. My cup of water will freeze at night." - Sophie

"We call him the 'Dark Lord' because he keeps all the lights off." - Sophie, about her dad



"What happens in English class, stays in English class." -Noah



After hearing "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost:

"Actually, with quantum mechanics, you could travel both roads simultaneously." - Megan



"We're never going to survive this if we don't work together." -Carl Wilkens



"Every once in a while, just scratch your ear or something so I know." -Carl Wilkens, during Skype session, directions so he can tell that the screen isn't frozen



"Do cats have dog years... I mean.. cat years?" -Aaron



Noah: "Did you ever take the opportunity to artificially inseminate a camel?"

Henry: "Yes. Yes I did."



Air Hair Lair -CoGoPo



"You gain the most power by NOT acting." -Gray Pedersen



"History is an imaginary re-creation of the past." -Gray Pedersen



"Oh, her! I saw her on youtube! You have good taste." -Mr. Pedersen to Aaron



"Soviet condoms are the worst condoms I have seen in the entire world." -Pedersen's friend



"It was supposed to be printed in landscape." -Winson



"This is so Winson!" -Pedersen, in reference to Winson's schematic



"Maybe she went into another village for.. something..." -Heather, about Audrey acquiring HIV in a simulation



Kyra: "Could we see him before his testification before Congress?"

Noah: "Testification? You mean testimony?"



"This seems like a Christmas chair or something..." -Mark Dybul, in reference to comfy chair



"...introduce Mary Dybul.. uh, that's what it says." -Everett



"We had something like asupermarket, but it was always out of everything except for TVs." - Henry



"Please universalize your maxim!" - Noah, scolding a student



"They say 'no effing way,' except with a British accent." -Noah, British response to James II



"I am a 16-year-old pregnant white girl." -Aaron



"Math gives you analytical thinking you need in any field. As you move up in any leadership position, you will see charts, graphs,... if you want to be in leadership positions, you will need to be able to interpret data." -Tony Seba



"You never know what research in math is going to lead to." - Tony Seba



"The survey results are pretty useless.. unless you want to say, 'Oh, look! They don't know anything about history!" -Kevin Jennings



"About the fourth time he [Tim Robbins] did it, I wacked him with my [hockey] stick." -Kevin Jennings



"When you say the words, 'Somebody ought to do something about it,' somebody will, and it will be you." -Kris Amonson



How did you get into politics?

"I was a kindergarten volunteer and things got out of hand." -Kris Amonson



"You never make a cow fatter by weighing it." -Kris Amonson



"How did Kevin Federline become the good one in that relationship?" -Kris Amonson, in reference to Britney Spears



"EVERY single suburban parent thinks their kid is gifted."-Kris Amonson



Noah: "Winson's siffing. He's just a sniffer."

Noah: "Don't assume. Find out."



"Don't do it. We have condoms." -Noah

"Please, no SEGL babies." -Noah



"I'm not used to snow, so if I step in it, will I sink?" -Isabel



"Rubber stairs." -Isabel, in wonder and amazement (regarding treads on the steps)



"Does that say 'Heaving Committee'?!" -Someone to Isabel during morning meeting



Noah: "Does anyone know what SOL means?"

Robbie: "It's Spanish for SUN!"



"It's Ms. Dr. Megan Parsons!" -Robbie, hearing committee selection



"YOU'RE Dr. Ross?!" -Megan, to Robbie



"Last semester, we went through 4 gallons of milk per week. This semester? 10 gallons of milk per week." -Noah



"The shelves [at the store] were empty. I felt like I was in the Soviet Union or something." -Noah



"You are the pioneers. You're the ones who took a chance on this program. you will have a special place in my heart as the founder of the school ... in the history of this program." -Noah



"If it really got down to it, we'd be suing the government of Botswana." -Noah, about the water leak next door



"Is the policy for slow dances 'leave room for Jesus?' -Aaron



"DJ LD-50 will be scratching the records today." -Will



"I think you're all adults.. near-adults.. acting like adults." -Noah



"I went there this weekend and it was so fun! It wasn't creepy at all." -Noah, about going to a roller derby



"Firstly, I think we should find a way to haze him appropriately." -Noah, about new staff member Stephen



Henry: "Noah, are you suggesting that you spent Valentine's Day at a roller derby?"

Noah: "Are you dating anyone, Henry?"



"For humble, I'm not going to give a quote, because -pfft- B-O-R-ING." -Everett



Noah: "Are you not voting, Aaron?"

Aaron: "I lost."


"Isabel received a box from HouseOfRave.com. It's probably a big box of ecstacy." -Noah



"In the real world, we have rich people and poor people. If I want to get a frozen yogurt, let me get my goddamn frozen yogurt! If I go to Starbucks, I don't need to get a grande, caramel, strawberry, high-fructose corn syrup coffee." -Noah

SEGLet Cross-pollination: Homecoming 2010

Alright so this weekend, 10/15-10/17 was the first annual SEGL Homecoming!! All those who could came back to DC to enjoy a weekend of fun and SEGL memories.  Friday, 10/15, was also my 18th birthday, so it was a pretty amazing weekend needless to say.


Friday:
My family and I drove in from our home in Cleveland. Contrary to what everyone believes, Ohio and Cleveland are not that far from the east coast. We are about a 6 hour drive from DC. Like I said, not that far. Although we did split up the drive for convenience purposes. We drove to Pittsburgh first and then to DC Friday morning. 
We arrived in DC about 4 ish after picking up my Georgetown Cupcakes from the store in Bethesda. Instead of a cake, I wanted the best cupcakes in the world for my birthday.  We went to my Aunt's house. She lives in DC so we always stay with her when we visit the city.  After arriving at her house, we dropped our stuff off and then went to dinner at Comet's Pizza with my whole family and her whole family.  There were 9 of us in total.
After dinner we went back to my aunt's house, sang happy birthday, and ate cupcakes.  My parents and I then headed to DuPont cirlce for an informal gathering at Abagail's house. She is Noah, the SEGL founder's career advisor. She has a lovely house.  The best part of this event was being reunited with my classmates from SEGL Spring 2010!! Audrey, Isabel, Trevor and I were the only ones representing our class on Friday night. (Nitika and Audrey joined us Saturday morning.)  There were also students from Fall 2009 there. It was so great meeting Nell, LP, Phoebe, Valentina, Cooper, Pete, and Marcus.  We all clicked pretty quickly. I expected that to happen since we are all SEGL kids.
Later that evening, we left the informal gathering and headed to Good Stuff Eatery to grab milkshakes and to celebrate my birthday. It was so fun! Best birthday yet!

Saturday:
We were all to meet at the academic at 9 to start the Homecoming festivities.  Beforehand, Audrey, Isabel and I went and got breakfast from Firehook, just like old times. We then ventured to the academic. Our parents had a 3 hour talk with Bud Krogh, who we all heard speak during our semesters. The students, instead, went upstairs and had our own reunion. We skyped and called everyone from our semesters and hung out and bonded with the Fall 09 kids some more. They are great. It was so fun talking to everyone and being together! I miss my semester so much. It was so amazing.
After reuninting with my semester, everyone headed out to lunch. The Spring 10 ladies headed to Sweet Green, just lik old times. Deja vu, anyone?
Upon returning, Noah did the chocolate demonstration that enticed us all to come to SEGL in the first place. We then had a fish bowl discussion about the issue.  Noah wanted to demonstrate the vast array of voice in the room, so the current students discussed, then the graduates discussed, and then the parents discussed. I liked hearing everyones opinion. At the end of the discussion, Noah surprised us with a chocolate tasting at a store down the street. Yum! After that we had a panel of 4 graduates, Marcus, Nick, Phoebe, and Isabel, present about their social venture projects. I was inspired to start working on mine again. So look out for that!
Later that night there was  Gala fundraiser. It was quite successful! The graduates didnt stay the whole time at the Gala instead we left early to go visit 231 Constitution Ave aka Home.  We hung out there for a while with the current semester. It was crazy to see people living in my house! I got super nostalgic and it was crazy. I wish I was still there. I really do.
After being kicked out of the dorm because of lights out, we all went our seperate ways, thus ending one fabulous reunion weekend!!

Sunday:
We drove back to Cleveland. I miss my friends! I miss DC. I miss SEGL!

I'm sorry that this got so long winded. Props to you for getting this far. I miss blogging about SEGL so I had to utilize my one opportunity to do so. I guess I got a little carried away. Ooops.
That's all for now. Check back later for updates on my venture!

Never "too soon" for an Update

Hey Everyone!

I haven't known what to write about for a while. Fortunately, I am heading back to the District for the SEGL Reunion, which just happens to be the weekend of my 18th birthday! I will definitely be posting an entry after the weekend. I'm so excited to be back at my school and at my house. I can't wait to see everyone either!

In other news, my social venture project is stagnant. Schools are very hard to work with. Though, I'm making progress. I'm supposed to have a meeting with the principal in November and will hopefully be able to get the project off the ground.

Also, if any prospective students are reading this... feel free to friend me on facebook and ask me about SEGL. I would love nothing more than to talk about my semester.

Alright. That's all I've got for now.
See ya in a week, DC Chillin'.

Insert SEGL Inside Joke Here

Per Audrey's request, I am back to blogging. I guess you guys miss my incoherent weekly updates about my SEGL life.  Here's a tidbit of my post-SEGL life.

I have been spending my summer doing school. I just finished up my physics class last week. I finished up all my make up work for the college office at my school. I am working on my summer reading and some extra math work that I have to do before I start AP Stats in the fall. I start ACT tutoring tomorrow. Needless to say, I have barely had time to breathe.
Fortunately, I have been maintaining many of my SEGL friendships. The bonds we made over those 16 short weeks will last us a lifetime. Even if we do lose touch or something, those friendships will bring us all back together in some way or another. We are indeed a family, however close knit or distant we are is dependent on the effort that we all put forth. Thankfully we all put forth a lot of effort, which shows how strong a community we really are. It's truly amazing that something like that can form in such a short period of time. But I guess that's what happens when 17 teenagers literally live on top of each other for 4 months.

That's all for now.
Peace. Love. SEGL.

Nostalgia: (n.) a desire to return to SEGL

I have been home for about 3 weeks now. I miss it. A lot. It's weird being back home, but it's good seeing my friends and family again. Besides, I now have the chance to tell new people at SEGL everyday. Spread the word, obviously. Blogging was a big part of my semester away as I became the unofficial historian for the inaugural spring semester.  Needless to say, I miss blogging. A lot. So, I've decided to update everyone on my social venture project. Yay!

My project is titled New Lens: Photography in the Inner City. New Lens is an after-school digital photography program for 5th graders in the Cleveland city schools.  The mission of New Lens is to provide these fifth graders with a creative outlet and an opportunity to foster their passions or even discover a new one. I want other children to be inspired, to be creative, and to be passionate about something that brings me a great deal of joy.

Currently, I am in the process of applying for the start up grant from Ashoka, scheduling meetings with my 6 dedicated team members, and trying to make a connection with a Cleveland charter school where I would like to launch the program.

That's all for now. I will keep you updated. I just can't stay away from blogging.

Shiver me timbers!

So as you know major parts of the SEGL curriculum are the capstone projects, one of which is the collaborative policy document or CPD, as Winson affectionately calls it. This past semester, we spent 3 weeks and then some working on our policy document about Piracy in Somalia. We even got to meet with the foremost officials about piracy in Somalia at the State Department. It was amazing. So without further ado, I present the Class of Spring 2010's CPD about Pirates! Read up!

http://www.schoolforethics.org/PiracyinSomaliaSEGL.pdf