Just a quick update and photo following meeting with Darin (a Junior) and Kim (a Senior) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2003 in Madison. Darin and Kim were very supportive of the program and are encouraging us to continue sponsoring students. We discussed not only the impact on their personal lives but the opportunity to share their experiences and outlooks with other students. Both expressed the desire to become counselors at the camp following graduation. I think we are on the right track, especially with West High now a much more diverse "community" with 30% minority students. But as Kim and Darin emphasized to me, race and religion aren't the only issues to be dealt with...they included sexual orientation, family experiences, educational, adultism...a truly broad spectrum.


Thanks to Darin and Kim for sharing their feelings, thoughts and ideas...the Class of '61 helped them make a difference.

Coincidently, Mr. Len Mormino, a West counselor (in fact, Kim's) called on Monday as a follow up from Carol Shepard. In our short talk he mentioned they have a 9th grade program to introduce incoming students to high school. He felt this could be a good opportunity for Kim, Darin and Steven to present the issues of diversity and talk about their experiences. It led me to think we should concentrate on 10th grade students as delegates in order to build a group that could have more impact over a minimum 2 year period.
Mr. Mormino said he would get back to me towards the end of Oct. (Kim, you could follow up with him on the 9th grade program.)