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LA MANCHAOctober 2007 The graduating class of December 2007, just return form their La Mancha Lifestep . The facilitators , Morgan Davis, Alex Bitz , Lisa Fairman and Carla Culpepper shared that the 17students were excellent in their academic work on Romanian history and culture and the history and significance of the Holocaust . Also they were fully immersed in spending time with orphans , working with the villagers .
Sydney D. October 16, 2007 LaMancha Journal Entry Free Writing--1 page “The Village Is” I smell the pungent smell of manure. This was the first thing I noticed in the village. I heard a language I had no clue how to decipher. I heard all sorts of animals. I heard dogs, pigs, cows, and turkeys. I saw teenagers looking at us like we were complete strangers, which we were to this. I saw struggle in people’s eyes. They did not know how the next day would go or if they would have to go hungry. I saw camaraderie. I touch a puppy that has dry skin and dry fur. I want to give it a bath and make its day. I smell the hearty Romanian meal cooking in the kitchen. I feel comfortable and secure. I feel sad for the dogs and animals. I feel a desire to help and buy this place new things and make improvements. I feel grateful for what I have.
GRADUATION DECEMBER 2007
Dalton B. Age 17 from Los Angeles, CA “My three greatest accomplishments at MBA would have to be Forever Young, Venture and LaMancha Lifesteps. I plan on finishing up high school at another boarding school, then going home in L.A. to do two years of community college while living with my family. After that I will attend a firefighters academy and paramedic school and continue to live at home working for LA County Firefighters. I’ll also be surfing and playing music, my passions.” Nicklaus B. Age 18 from Blackfoot, ID Graduating high school “While being at MBA, I look back at having the honor of facilitating the Promise Lifestep, and learning to be a strong proud man who can love himself without the numbing of drugs. From MBA I will be at home for the holidays and in January will be moving to Coeur d’Alene to attend Northern Idaho College where I will be studying graphic arts and history for two years. My greatest feeling is that I will be leaving here with a strong sense of who I am.” Quote: “You shall be free when your days are not without a care nor your nights without grief, but rather when you rise above them naked and unbound.” –Kahil Gibran Nicholas B. Age 15 from Mountlake Terrace, WA GPA 3.5 “While at MBA, I am most proud of discovering and becoming honest about who I really am and developing a plan to make my future successful. A few of my biggest turning points include Camp Classroom, my second Promise Lifestep, and both of my Venture Lifesteps. I have become someone who is a proud, confident person who is not afraid to take risks. While I have been at MBA I have accelerated in my academics and I am now close to a year ahead. After graduation I will be going back home to Mountlake Terrace, WA and will be working on college as I finish up high school. If I accomplish my goal I will graduate high school with an Associates Degree from Edmonds Community College with a major in marketing and sales or business management. From there….” Quote: “It is confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures, new directions to grow in, and new lessons to learn-which is what life is all about.” Sydney D. Age 18 from Coconut Creek, FL Graduating high school, GPA 3.43 “While I have been at MBA, I am most proud of being a good female role model on campus, reconnecting with my family, and maturing into a strong and confident young woman. I have also enjoyed making some lasing friendships and getting a new perspective on life. Following graduation I will be returning home for about a month, where I will be working at a part-time job and re-doing my room with my mom. Then I will be going on a three-month program called Sea-mester to pursue my passions while earning college credit. I will be living on a boat with about 25 other people and sailing from the Caribbean, though the Panama Canal, and over to the Galapagos and Tahitian islands. In the fall, I will be attending college and studying to become a marine biologist.” Quote: “Would you not like to be sittin’ on top of the world with your legs hanging free?”
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