The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Brooke R. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Tactics - SSI Experience Report
For me, as an over-competitive, driven 13-year-old, SSI was my dream. My first week, I was in the House of Representatives. I was elected as leader of my caucus and was fortunate enough to pass my bill and defeat my opponents’. I also spoke on behalf of several other bills. I loved the experience and returned to SSI again the following year for two weeks, first as a Senator and then on the Media team. And I returned yet again this year, repeating the Media track. SSI is my haven, the one place I can go without fear or reservations about being accepted and liked. Here I meet others who are academically focused, and also where I find great spiritual growth and encouragement. This is my home.
My most memorable time at SSI was in 2007, when I attended Week One and Week Three. Week One was unforgettable. It was only my second time to SSI, but with my wonderful memories from the previous year, I was extremely excited. This year I had not come alone. I brought my sister and best friend with me, and we animatedly chatted as we made our way to the icebreaker. We separated when the Senators were split from the Representatives, and when we next congregated, we had been assigned to our respective caucuses. I was pleased with my bill, one that would require parents with young children to go through a “divorce effects” program before being granted a divorce.
I was already giving challenging glares to my opposing caucus, and I studied my bill carefully before going to bed. Adrenaline was pulsing through my veins and I couldn’t wait for the culmination of the week’s efforts—a Friday debate in the Lansing Capitol. After an hour of “girl talk” with my roommates, I fell asleep, eager for the next day to begin.
Throughout the week, I attended a series of lectures and had frequent meetings with my caucus. At seven o’clock each night, the students assembled for worship, my favorite part of the day. Each evening speaker challenged me and encouraged me to grow in my relationship with God.
In the middle of the week, I was faced with a totally unprecedented issue—my “opposing” caucus, whose bill would allow unrestricted suing of drug companies over drugs that were FDA-approved, informed me they would be voting in favor of my caucus’s bill on Friday. My caucus quickly agreed to vote for their bill after they promised to make several necessary amendments. This was my first experience with the real world political phenomenon of “backroom” deal brokering.
Although most people would have seen this as a positive turn of events, I was unpleasantly shocked. The driving force of my motivation to excel at SSI was competition. Where was the competition in a peaceful agreement between us? I wanted the uncertainty of not knowing whose bill would pass until the final debate, the excitement of political rivalry. But, with no one else sharing my lust for conflict, there was nothing else to do but satisfy my competitive side by assisting other caucuses in their pursuit of a win.
On Friday, my caucus presented our bill to the students, and, with the support of the opposing caucus, it passed unanimously—a first-time event in SSI’s 14-year history. I stood to vote for the opposing caucus’s bill when the time came, and it also passed with an overwhelming majority.
When it was time to return home, I wished my friends goodbye and looked ahead to Week Three. I had more fun during Week Three of SSI than I have ever had at any other time of my life. Because there were only six people on the Media team, we quickly came together like family. And, being one of just two girls, I became close friends with the other female in the group. By the second day at SSI, the Media team was already laughing, joking, and teasing each other constantly. We all shared multiple “inside jokes” and enjoyed attending lectures together and eating meals with each other.
During the week, the team produced a daily four-page newspaper and two broadcasts. I used the majority of my time to write articles for the newspaper, but also had the opportunity to “co-anchor” one of the broadcasts. With the pressure to crank out as many articles as possible each day, both my writing and typing skills improved. And, with special guests lecturing for the Media team exclusively, I learned about the lives of a reporter and a news anchor, as well as the traits one must possess to succeed in such careers.
The week flew by ten times faster than any other week had, and before I knew it I was packing my bags. This time, however, I did not cheerily wave goodbye to my friends before driving off to continue my life. I realized this would be the last time I would be at SSI for another whole year, and more than a few tears were shed as I said my goodbyes to friends and during the car ride home.
I learned so much more than I ever expected I would in those weeks. Although it took time, and a great deal of frustration and teeth gnashing was involved, I finally rose above the belief that the most satisfying feeling comes from overcoming an opposing group, and I learned that valuable work can be done striving together as a team. I met some of the most inspiring and intelligent people I know at SSI during those weeks. And, most importantly, I matured spiritually in my perception of God and His purpose for me.
The SSI experience is something I will never forget. When I think back to my weeks as a Representative and Senator, I still grin a crafty smile as I remember preparing for Friday’s debate. I laugh aloud as I recall the frequent “inside jokes” shared by the Media team. I treasure not only the “girl talk”, but more importantly, the spiritual discussions I shared with my roommates late at night in the dorm room. I am sobered as I recollect the deep spiritual impact the evening lectures and morning Bible studies have had on my personal walk with God.
Because of SSI, I have discovered a passion for politics. I now hope to begin law school as soon as 2011 and plan on pursuing a career in politics. SSI has shaped me as a person. It has taught me how to become successful and a team player. It has given me the opportunity to meet many role model figures and to establish invaluable contacts I will no doubt use for many years to come. My weeks at SSI have been some of the most valuable, enjoyable, and significant times of my life, and I would not exchange them for anything.
