The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Marcel G. during the 2007-2008 League.
An experience never to forget
Two summers ago my mother motivated me to participate in a camp that I was opposed to attending. The camp was called SSI (Student
Statesmanship Institute.) My future ambitions didn't involve any interest in politics so at first I wasn't very enthused about attending
the SSI program. My animosity towards the program quickly changed shortly after the program began. During the program my feelings towards
politics changed completely.
When I first walked in the room I wanted to leave because no one in the room looked like me. I said to myself I am an African American,
what am I doing here? I immediately wanted to go home. Then one of the leaders came up to me and introduced herself and reminded me of
what my purpose in life was, and I remembered that I am a Christian. I lost my focus for a moment, I had to quickly come out of my comfort
zone and remember that all Christians do not look a like.
SSI taught me how to be a politician and a faithful Christian at the same time, which is a difficult task to achieve in today's society.
I was able to live the life of a state representative for a week. My role in the political world was to read over bills, and to come up
with strong arguments against or for each bill.
A moment that I will never forget was when I had the opportunity to actually go to the state capital and sit in the real seat of a
representative, speak on the same mike as a representative, and the chance to vote in the same room that a representative votes in.
Before that experience I wasn't much of a public speaker at all, and now my peers can't get me to be quiet in public.
The whole SSI experience made me feel important knowing that I was voting on laws that millions would have to follow gave me a rush.
Even though during some time of the SSI program I was forced to vote for bills I didn't believe in I had an abundance amount of
confidence knowing that God was by my side no matter what bill I had to vote for.
The Student Statesmanship Institute has truly given me the tools and confidence that I need to succeed in this world. This program
has unquestionably changed me as a person. I now know that if someone confronts me with ignorance that doesn't mean that I have to do
the same.
I am thankful that I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the SSI program. The fellowship and the bible teachings during the
program brought me further along on my journey with God. I am thankful for SSI also because the program has taught me how to conduct
myself in a professional manner during a dispute.
I am now committed to promote diversity within the SSI program. I feel that it is a program that more minorities need to take
advantage of. They need to know that laws that they are expected to follow go beyond their local police enforcements. Minorities
need to know that if they don't vote they become invisible and they have no say in what their futures look like.
Thank you SSI I appreciate everything you have done for me.
