New Business Items from YAC Chairs
Seniors: Judy, Caitlin, Rebekah, Martin
Juniors: Katie
Sophomores: Jessica, Sidney, Taylor, Jessika, Carleigh
Sidney: Oklahoma Conference of Churches is creating an Interfaith Youth tour and they wanted youth input and help in the organization of the tour. Sidney represented CasadyYAC?Youth LEAD OKC.
Jessica: MLK Day was good. Balto like week on the works for Casady, intergenerational fashion show to have the direct contact the administration wants. Minute to minute games. Mr. cyclon Jesicca needs ideas and a team to work on the week which most likely will be the week before National Volunteer Week.
Freshmen: Ann,Katie
Items from the Floor: Crossroads Hospice tabled
Old Business
Mrs. Clay's items Your hand has the principles of service learning, how much ownership did youth have of the MLK Day Project? Initial response, a lot, but not in the details. For future activities: Committees for everything.
a. Reflective S-L circle of MLK Day Service Project went Well We will go back in the future What? -What were your expectations? What did you do? How were you involved in the planning? Why? So What? -What did you learn? (What was the impact-the point-) You, Community Now What? - How could the experience be improved? What is next? Why?
b. February Requests 1. Positive Tomorrows V-Day Cards, goodie bags (Art Club wants to do the decorating. We will be responsible for getting dental hygiene items and other items in the bags) We discussed making fleece blankets also. Carleigh, Cathy, and Hunter will lead the effort Dental and personal higiene supplies
Items below tabled
2. Guild of Saint George Collection of Toiletries; An e-mail from Mr. Bright " Ann Zuk and I are planning the Food Drive for the Guild of St. George to go along with the Fat Tuesday Pancake Breakfast again this year. The collection dates will be Thursday through Monday Feb. 7th to the 11th, and the pancake breakfast will be Tuesday Feb. 12th. We have designated the Upper Division to collect toiletries again this year. I am planning to send a push page to upper division students about the collection, and I will set up a collection box in the student center, In the past we have not had much participation in this from UD students. We thought perhaps through service learning or student council, some activity or incentive could be given to increase this. We'd appreciate any support you can give this."
c. 2013 Calendar Game and YAC Chairs initiatives
d. Tabled Items from other meetings
Quilt for Mother's Auction
Colombian Service Connections (School, orphanage)
National Service-Learning Conferences-TIDE
Sunday, January 20, 2013
CASADY/MERCY/Youth LEAD(Leaders Engaging Across Differences) MLK Day 2013 RT TEAM
MLK DAY 2013
WORK DAY WITH REBUILDING TOGETHER EXPRESSIONS OF APPRECIATION
Thank you so
much for giving us the opportunity to serve our community especially on MLK Jr.
Day. Our services that day is the epitome of Martin Luther King's ideology when
he preached, "An individual has not started living until he can rise
above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader
concerns of all humanity." Helping Mrs. Johnson
allowed our youth to grow a bit taller, feel better, and understand a whole lot
more. B. J., Mercy School
------------------------ On behalf of the
Casady/Mercy/ Youth LEAD OKC MLK Day Team thank you for the
opportunity provided to students to serve on January 21, National Day of
Service. Mrs. Johnson was kind, welcoming, loving, and flexible. She
inspired our kids to the point that one student decided on his own, to get
a gift for Mrs. Johnson. Hunter and a group of Casady juniors and seniors
presented Mrs. Johnson with a vacuum cleaner purchased at a Home Depot errand
for cleaning supplies.
Mrs. Johnson worked closely throughout the day with the
sorting team and was complementary of the experience. As we concluded our time
at her home, Mrs. Johnson stated how grateful she was for
the enthusiasm demonstrated by everyone who worked at her house. The challenges
we faced were solved by quick problem solvers and the leadership of actions
taken changed according to the need of the
moment.
A quick reviewed by Jonathan at 4:00 PM let us conclude
that we had done what you needed on the first day of work at Mrs. Johnson's
house. Once you complete winterizing her home, please let us know if there is
anything else we can do to help her finalize details to a safer, warmer, and
drier home.
The Casady YAC will be reflecting MLK Day service day this
coming Friday. Jim Bonfiglio and I reflected our experience this year and he
brought to our attention a path to explore to a sustainable relationship on MLK
Day with Rebuilding Together for teens 14-15 years old- our freshmen and
sophomores. We look forward to a "reflective tea time" to explore Rebuilding
Together interest in an ongoing relationship on MLK Day and what the cost
implications will be to get a house again.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve, learn,
and build relationships with our Oklahoma City community. C.C. Casady
School
MEMORIES OF MLK DAY 2013 CASADY/MERCY SCHOOL/ Youth LEAD OKC
(DRAFT)
Breakfast
courtesy of Service-Learning, Snacks after school program, lunch Casady School
Welcome Casady and Mercy by YAC Senior Chairs
Meeting @ Mrs. Johnson's House Report by Mrs. Clay
Tentative Schedule for the day - Group Facilitators by Sophomore YAC Chairs
Bus assignment by Coach Bonfiglio and Mr. Philipson
Group Introspection in post-it notes
NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE
What is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service?Takes place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a "day on, not a day off." It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.
Why Serve on MLK Day of Service?
The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. http://mlkday.gov/about/serveonkingday.php.MLK LEGACY OF SERVICEVIDEOS:http://mlkday.gov/promote/videos.php
MLK DAY NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE 2013:REBUILDING TOGETHER WORK DAY: http://www.rebuildingtogetherokc.org/ Goal:Honor MLK, Jr. Service Legacy and the memory of Robbie Johnson and Jeannine Rainbolt by making a home safer for an Oklahoma family. Fun, Food, and Friends with a purpose: Making a day off, a day on service and building relationships.
Casady school teens and faculty will start refurbishing a home on MLK Day in collaboration with Youth LEAD OKC and Mercy School Institute students and faculty. No skill needed. Age requirement: 14 YEARS OLD. Before the work day volunteers must: a. Complete online application http://rtokc.civicore.com/index.php?section=volunteerApplication&action=newTeam's name: Casady/Mercy MLK Day b. Complete release/permissions. Request forms via e-mail from Carmen Clay, Director of Service-Learning @ clayc@casady.org, 405-520-1325
Work Day Schedule and Details :
8:00 Breakfast @ Woods. Welcome by YAC (You-nite ACommunity)
8:30-9:30 Work Assignments:Packing and taping the inside, cleaning and painting the outside.
12:00 Lunch @ Douglas Recreation Center, 900 Frederick J. Douglas Dr. OKC, 73117. Contact Person, Anneta Burden( 424-4212). Mrs. Michelle Tompkins arranges meal @ Center.
1:00 – 3:00? Work Continues on site or different locations as needed. Buses return to chapel parking lot after work day is completed, Snacks and drinks provided.
Transportation: Buses: Mr. Jacques Lampin, Mr. Jim Bonfiglio. Suburbans: Mrs. Clay, Mr. Moore, Mr, Philipson
GROUPS OF 5 OR LESS DO NOT NEED RESERVATIONS Morning Shift: 9-12, Afternoon Shift: 1-4. MINORS NEED TO BE WITH AN ADULT TO VOLUNTEER
1. Ask to sign-in for service-learning hours. At the end of your shift you will receive a paper with your hours. Age requirement: 8 years old or older.
2. Go to Volunteer Center in the second floor. Complete volunteer application.
3. Wait for volunteer coordinator to assign tasks. Enjoy your volunteer experience.
INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS OF OKLAHOMA GALLERY
MLK DAY COLLABORATIVE ART VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart."
On January 21, 2013 from 12 to 5 p.m. Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) is partnering with the Oklahoma City Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Coalition, the Respect Diversity Foundation (RDF) and the Paramount Theater Space to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the IAO Gallery, located at 706 W Sheridan in Oklahoma City. IAO is inviting visual artists of all media to assist attendees in creating a collaborative art piece that will be on display celebrating diversity at the 12th annual Respect Diversity Arts Exhibition in April 2013.
The mission of RDF is to teach tolerance and respect for all people. IAO's mission is committed to sustaining and encouraging emerging and established artists in all media who are intellectually and aesthetically provocative or experimental in subject matter or technique.
IAO is also inviting performance artists of all genres to perform in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. that day. To join IAO as an artist in "articulating the inaudible language of the heart" this year please contact IAO Gallery at 405-232-6060.
The Schedule:
12pm-12:30pm IAO
Gallery
Oklahoma Artists:
Alicia Rodell-Mixed Media, Garrett
Young-Pen and Ink,
Kendall
Brown-Solar Photography,
Barby Osborn-Pastels, Home Base
Studios-Film Local Visual Artists
will be on hand to assist attendees in creating their own polaroid size art
piece that will be combined with photos of attendees "flashing the peace sign"
and ultimately be sewn together with multi-colored thread and displayed at the
Respect Diversity Foundation's Art Exhibition April 2013. Home Base Studios will
be filming attendees reciting lines from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A
Dream Speech" that will also premiere alongside footage from the day's events at
the Respect Diversity Foundation's Art Exhibition April 2013.
The film of Martin
Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream Speech" will be shown during this time within
the IAO Gallery.
Michael Korenblit is
co-author of UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, the true story of love and survival in the
Holocaust. In his presentation, Mike takes his audiences on a journey through
time to Hrubieszow, Poland, during the late 1930s and 1940s. He relates the
stories of two families and the impact of World War II on their
lives.
Gwen Mukes: Growing
up in segregated Oklahoma in the 40s and 50s, Gwen witnessed many forms of
discrimination and was aware of atrocities committed to African Americans at a
young age. As one of the original Civil Rights’ Sit-Inners in Oklahoma City to
desegregate public accommodations (August1958), she, along with the other 13
members of the NAACP Youth Chapter, was thrust into history. This experience
began her lifelong quest for equal treatment for all, to learn more about her
people’s history and history of other cultures, and to help others to appreciate
different cultures in our society. 1:00pm-1:30pm IAO
Gallery
Albert Gray Eagle is
a noted flute artist and performer who is skilled in the craft of making
traditional flutes along with regional forms of creative writing. Residencies
with Gray Eagle may include the art of flute making and playing of the
instrument while building on an understanding of history relevant to the Native
American.
Dwe Williams from
Ebony Voices is a storytelling unit of Rhythmically Speaking that incorporates
music and womanly style in the telling of stories from the perspective of women.
Women who have been birthin' and burpin' and buildin' a bold new body of people
as they redefine the boundaries of their time. They deal with a wide array of
issues and themes real and imagined, projected in song and story.
1:30pm-2:30pm
The Paramount,
OKC
Film: "A Call to
Conscience"Tavis Smiley takes a
comprehensive look at Martin Luther King, Jr.'s fight to put an end to the
Vietnam war, and the impact his legacy continues to make among peace activists
throughout the world
2:30pm-3:00pm
Attendees and
artists will be invited to design signs promoting peace and diversity to hold
during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in downtown Oklahoma City.
3:00pm-5:00pm
Attendees are
invited to join the parade in downtown Oklahoma
City.
*All art materials
are provided free of charge, and the day's events are also free of
charge.
MLK EVENTS AROUND OKC
The Parade:The 2013 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade begins at 2 p.m. from the corner
of Broadway Avenue and NW 7th, proceeding along Broadway to Sheridan. There will
be grandstands at NW 5th and Broadway Avenue. The theme for 2013 parade is
“Challenges Beyond The Dream.”For more information on the parade or to
be involved, call coordinators Winard Brown at (405) 410-7740 or R.L. Doyle at
(405)413-4372.
The Prayer Breakfast:The 16th annual Midwest City Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast
at the Reed Conference Center near Rose State College will begin at 7:00 a.m. on
Monday, January 21st. Organizers expect between 400-500 people will enjoy
breakfast followed by speeches and music. Cost to attend the Breakfast is $10. Go early!
The Silent March:The traditional silent march, in the style of the early civil rights
movement marches, will begin about 9 a.m. on Monday, January 21st, following a
program at the Freedom Center. The march will move from the Freedom Center to
the Oklahoma History Center
on N. Laird in time for the Bell Ringing.
The Bell Ringing:At 11 a.m. on Monday the 21st, there will be a ringing of Oklahoma's
replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the Oklahoma History
Center.
The MLK Jr. Holiday Coalition Program:The annual program from the Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of Oklahoma
City features the "I Have a Dream" speech. Keynote speaker for 2013 is TBA. The
program takes place at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral on NW 7th from noon until
the parade begins at 2 p.m.
Present: Jessica G., Taylor B. Sidney J. and Jack B. Snacks by Okland Oil
1. Welcome by YAC Chair:Jessica G. welcomed. Asked for items
2. Agenda items from floor:Jessica shared this inspirational video
3. Mrs. Clay's agenda items
a. MLK Day final details: Jack and Jessica reported on MLK Day status.Mrs. Clay stated that volunteers will enjoy Chinese food for lunch donated by Mr. Sheldon and Grand House. Mrs. Tompkins will have lunch ready at Recreational Center. Mrs. Clay found a donation of 2 dozen doughnuts. Mr. Bonfiglio will bring snacks. Mrs. Clay will bring breakfast and hot chocolate for the cold day.
Sidney will make the working teams: Purpose: to be with friends, but also to meet new people. Taylor will facilitate for the Mercy Group. YAC Senior Chairs will welcome volunteers. Small groups are being facilitate by a youth and an adult for better checks and balances.
b. Youth LEAD report. Boston trainer on campus 4/18-22. Youth Training: 4/20-2 Sidney reported that youth LEAD will have a training on effective communication and facilitation. Mrs. Clay invited students to attend. It will be free and maybe on our campus. Sidney shared her enthusiasm for TIDE http://youthleadonline.org/tide.php, youth lead Boston signature conference. Mrs. Clay talked about maybe attending the National Conference http://www.nylc.org/national-service-learning-conference or TIDE as a group.
c. January 19th sign-up for WP Litter Blitz. Not covered during meeting. UPDATE: Mrs. Clay attended, but no one showed up to work, not even the organizers.
d. Calendar for 2013- Game with prizes Not covered, but Mrs. Clay has a game ready.
c. Tabled items for next meeting
1. Service-Learning Website, forms online??? Designer helper
2. Colaboration Requests: Bogota, Colombia School, Prom Dresses, and others
3. Youth LEAD OKC 2013: Recruitment and dates for first training. YAC Connections
4. National Conferences: NYLC, Points of Light, Shinnyo-en Retreat and TIDE
5. May Senior Service Trip to Hurricane Sandy affected areas with Rebuilding Together
6. Summer Global Service Learning: Peru: World Leadership School, Colombia and China: Orphanage work
7. Summer Planning for YAC 2013 June-December
2nd January Meeting Agenda and Minutes
Present: Sophomores: Jessika R., Jessica G., Taylor Burrow. Freshmen: Ann N., Megan T, and Kate E. Snacks provided by Service-Learning Program
1. Welcome and agenda Facilitated by sophmore YAC ChairJessica G. Facilitation technique to watch: Time! Jessica did a great job managing time and covering most pressing agenda items.
2. Agenda Items from YAC Chairs/ YAC members/Community Guests Mrs. Michelle Ellis presented a project with the elderly similar to the YAC main project from 2001-2004: The CB Group: Caring Buddies for the elderly. She has a service opportunity on Monday at 4:00 PM at Canterbury. Mrs. Clay will NOT be able to attend as planned because Green Team @ Boys and Girls Club had to change meeting date from Tuesday to Monday. Mrs. Clay will invite alumni to participate in 2:00 PM activities. YAC freshmen chairs will be working on calendar and ideas (Fashion Show, Senior - Senior Prom, etc.) and present ideas at next meeting when we are expected to have similar schedule.
3. Blog reading Q&A and prizes by Jessica G. $5 gift card won by Ann N. Game will continue next week with Trivia about the National Service Learning Calendar dates below. Chairs need to be deciding if they want to undertake the responsibility of facilitating any of those days and bring ideas. For example, National Volunteer Week: BALTO week like. Facilitator: Jessica G. She already is checking with Mr. Philipson and creating sub-committees which will include YAC chairs from every grade and help from STUCO. STUCO is not doing service projects this year, but any fundraising still has to be approved by them and Mrs. Warden. Ideas implemented by other schools were shared. YAC needs to come up with a name for the week which this year will take place during National Volunteer Week in April. Fundraising must be connected to direct contact service opportunities because that will be the only way to get it approved by administration. Jessica provided a sample letter from a student organizing SWINE Week which showed great creativity in the way her school is fundraising this year. TO DO: READ THIS AND THE BELOW ENTRY TO HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES AT NEXT MEETING!
4. MLK Day Report and update: 33 volunteers as of January 11. We still do not have our house assignment, but Mr. Bonfiglio has offered to cook or help to provide lunch for volunteers should RT not cover volunteers lunch
5. Social Reponsibility Weekend Activities
a. Saturday: Special Olympics 8-4 YAC member attending Jack B.
b. Sunday: Youth LEAD OKC 6-7:30 500 Broadway, YMCA Corporate Headquarters, Basement Jack, Hunter and Sidney are the YAC members attending
Next Week: National Volunteer Weekend
17th: Mrs. Clay Speaks at Chapel on MLK Legacy of Service
18th: YAC speaker at chapel at 1:05. We need YAC chairs to host and introduce speaker at chapel and welcome her to Casady ??????????????? YAC chair will have to reseach background, create introduction and speak at chapel.
19th: Family Volunteering on MLK Day of service. 10:00 AM Mrs. Clay and her husband will volunteer at Ronald McDonald House 2:00 PM Opportunity for YAC to volunteer at Wiley Post Park, Litter Blitz Clean-up
21th: MLK Day: 33 volunteers as of 1/12/2013
7:30-8:00 Welcome and Breakfast by YAC sophomore chairs (Carleigh B., Jessica G.) Breakfast for volunteers: Breakfast bars, fruit, orange juice, coffee, hot chocolate YAC chairs take attendance, provide name tags, pick-up release forms YAC sophomore chairs bring needed cleaning supplies (from home or ask Mr. Fresonke for a donation) and YAC music equipment to site. YAC sophomore chairs bring snacks and drinks for volunteers. We still need to decide what snacks and drinks. Cost must be minimal with high quality and nutrition in mind. We need a donation of water bottles. A YAC chair will bring the YAC cooler with ice and drinks.
8:15 Buses Depart from Chapel Parking Lot and return after job is completed. Tony A. Rebuild Together Youth Board and members of RT Work Day team awill ssign groups and tasks
12:00 Lunch If RT does not provide lunch and snacks, Adults (Mrs. Clay, Mr. Bonfiglio and Mr. Philipson will take care of this item.
First January Meeting Agenda and Minutes
Attendance: 18 members reflected. Snacks provide by Service-Learning Program. YAC members who did not attend the meeting must see Mrs. Clay to reflect hours for transcript and report card on their own time.
-Goal: 2012 Reflection-done and 2013 Calendar Setting-not done
1. Welcome: Claire H. Asked if any members had agenda items. Stated that the meeting was about MLK Day, reflection and calendar. Claire also stated that if any members wanted to be YAC Chairs or stop being YAC Chairs/members, they should contact Mrs. Clay. Claire defined being a YAC Chair as: taking responsibility of leading a project. Running meetings in the absence of senior YAC chairs.
No members had agenda items, therefore, Mrs. Clay took over the meeting because she had a long agenda to cover.
a. Re-introduction of MLK Day Rebuilding Together Work Day: Tony Analla spoke. We had 24 volunteers and a collaboration with Mercy School, Youth Director and the CEO of Youth LEAD OKC.
2. YAC Members Reflect 9 meetings, service Saturdays and Sundays. Main Projects were visually recalled on Bulletin Board and attendance to meetings was documented with dots placed on back of hands.18 members reflected. YAC attendance in 2013 will be documented in the Woods Community Room bulletin board and on this blog because there was tampering of list on lobby bulletin board.
3. Calendar 2013: Suggestions: National Service Days. YAC facilitators and teams needed. We did not have time to cover this, but decided to give an incentive to read the blog by having games with prizes. Sophomore Chair: Jessica G will prepare the first one. Be ready to win! READ THE BLOG.
4. This Weekend Service Opportunities: Bulletin Board: Boys and Girls Club and Food Bank will be default social responsibility locations for Friday and Saturdays' YAC projects unless students or community organizations have special requests like this week Special Olympics. Update SPECIAL OLYMPICS BOWLING @ Windsor Lanes was awesone. Jack B. and Abby E. participated.
Chapel speaker UD, Friday January 18, 2013
Mrs. Joyce Henderson
January 23: GENERATIONON HUNGER GRANT DUE: This spring generationOn will launch "What Will You Bring to the Table?" an initiative to mobilize youth from across the country to address child hunger by gathering around tables to create service projects that raise awareness and bring collective action to this critical issue. As a part of this initiative, generationOn is offering mini-grants in the amount of $250 to help youth develop a service project addressing child hunger in the United States. The grant application is available here and will be open through January 23rd at 5pm EST.
"What Will You Bring to the Table?" Project Ideas to Get You Started:
• Launch a letter writing campaign or rally at your table to advocate for more funding for hunger-related initiatives.
• Use your table to hold a canned food drive. See how many items you can collect!
• Gather around your table to plan a community garden, then find a space and get planting!
• Host a bake sale or other fundraiser at your table to support a local food bank.
• Take time at your table to make a set of “Breakfast Boxes” for families that need help getting an important start to the day.
Saturday January 26: Work day with Rebuilding Together. Help as needed. Sign-up at RT website. Contact Tony Analla for details.
Suggested Service Calendar for 2013
February 10-16:National Kindness Week:Kindness, Pass it on initiative; Random Acts of Kindness Foundation http://www.randomactsofkindness.org. YAC is brainstorming a family volunteer night (in collaboration with LD). We will make cards, care packages, and blankets for Positive Tomorrows, School for Homeless children. We will also work with Boys and Girls Club art classes and green team. If the Guild of Saint George collection is this week, we will collaborate with that mothers' project. YAC Chairs needed.
February 25-March 1:Multicultural Week at Casady. Service-Learning and YAC will collaborate with Multicultural Club initiatives. YAC Chair in MLC will connect YAC to this effort.
April 21-27National Volunteer Week. We will deliver Presidential Awards this week at Chapel, a date convenient for Father Blizzard and administrators. This weekend, we will be working with Earth Day Nichols Hills and any initiatives YAC kids want to promote. If approved, in the past had an out of uniform with students wearing a t-shirt of a place where they volunteered and they felt they made a difference. We celebrated volunteers and presidential award winners with an ice cream social provided by the CPO. Jessica G. is the YAC Chair working on a BALTO like week. Brainstorming and permission gathering has started.
April 22:Earth Day: Service-Learning will collaborate with emerging green teams in the MD, Boys and Girls Club and environmental Club
initiatives. Salman Hamid, Environmental Club officer, is the YAC connector to this initiative with the Middle Division, environmental club sponsors and the Boys and Girls Club Green Team, which started to function in January 2013.
April 26-28:Global Youth Service Days: Scheduled to work with the Food Bank, Rebuilding Together, and/or other student initiatives generated from BALTO WEEK like activities.
May 4th:Join Hands Day: New this year! An alternative date for Family Volunteering Day sponsoring organizations YAC students are passionate about??? YAC Chair needed.
Visit SERVE.GOV to find volunteer opportunities at home or abroad. Just enter geographic information, such as zip code or state, and your area of interest, so you can access service opportunities near your home or office, across the country or overseas.
College counselors and admissions directors crowded a hotel conference room on Thursday afternoon, many sitting on the floor for want of enough chairs, as William Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions at Harvard, joined in a discussion on “The Ideal High School Graduate.”
Mr. Fitzsimmons was speaking on a panel as part of the College Board’s annual conference in New York City. “I’m not sure Harvard has figured out what the ideal student is,” he said, clearly disappointing some cramped audience members. “But public service is a baseline. We’re trying to find people who make others around them better.”
Mr. Fitzsimmons called successful applicants to Harvard “good all-arounders – academically, extracurricularly and personally,” and he stressed the importance of demonstrating humanity and three-dimensionality in one’s college application. “I want to know, what is it this person does beside chew gum and produce good grades or scores?”
He warned against the superficiality of charismatic dispositions. “Charisma isn’t everything,” he said. “It actually makes a difference to have substance. And those quiet people can be incredibly easy to miss in college admissions, but they can be brilliant and wear incredibly well over the long haul.”
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