T. G. I. F.

(Thanks Gardner Is Friday)

This past week we had a variety of events like coastal classroom, a trip to the Oregon coast to explore marine biology; the Bridge Lifestep®, a first values clarification workshop for new students working on the quality of their friendships; a Candlelight Journey Workshop, about coming of age in our society as a young woman; and this week, a Braveheart Workshop, for boys about becoming   young men.  

Fridays are usually the days, after four long days of classes, when students are engaged in peer group activities or other special events.   This Friday in the morning, Bill Gardner, Head of the Social Sciences Department, Drama Performance Class, and dry humorists of the school, started the day with roll call, a contest of who can do the best Smeagol   (inspiration, Lord of the Rings).   The three contestants were Mike S., _Kristie F., and _Gill R .   Driven on by the cheering of the crowd, the contestants went from “attacking” Jake L.   and David O.   to collapsing in a heap of tears and “sobbing”.   Finally, Mike and Kristie shared first prize under pressure from the outrageous cheering of their respective gender groups.  

Following this uproarious beginning, Bill Hoffman presented three dynabox awards (given to students for dynamic acts of courage and positive example on campus).   The recipients were Geordie R. for helping other students who were struggling this past week.   Sean R. for taking a risk and doing outstanding work in group.   Nick F. for dealing honorably with accepting the disappointment of having to sit out a long anticipated Lifestep for medical reasons.

Next, the boys participating in the Braveheart Workshop were dismissed from the Living Room to go to the bottom of the hill to look for sticks to represent weapons for battle.   They symbolically charged the hill as warriors and met the facilitators in front of the Lifestep® Room.   After doing some writing assignments to prepare for the workshop, they entered the room to join Dean Bonanno, Dave Stuben, and Bill Hoffman for a full day of searching for the brave heart within.  

Before leaving the campus, I stopped by the main lodge where the girls were relaxing, chit chatting about the loud boys, and preparing some decorations for their dorms under the watchful eye of Martha Stewart disciple, Cate Devlin.

Together with Dave Johnson, Glenn Austin, and Alicia Fine-Morrison, I am preparing to take the next graduating class to Romania and France for their La Mancha Workshop.   Enjoy the photos and we'll be back in a couple of weeks.

Alex Bitz

(Translated by Sharon Bitz)

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