2008 Banquet - Keynote Speaker Jim Ryun
Banquet Overview
What a wonderful evening as nearly 300 people gathered at the beautiful San Marino Club for the SSI Fundraising event. There were plenty of SSI alums on hand. Some volunteered; others attended with their parents or just came on their own. It was great to see the mini SSI reunion taking place before and after the event. The whole evening focused on those young people and the thousands of others that have been positively affected through SSI. The John Quincy Adams Scholarship Award was presented by Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and the student acceptance speeches were heartfelt as they spoke of the impact of SSI in their lives. U.S. Senate Candidate Jack Hoogendyk was on hand to welcome our guests and Jim Ryun’s inspiring message of overcoming life’s challenges was a great encouragement for all of us to persevere through difficult times in our lives.
Thank you to everyone who contributed through buying tickets, tables and ads for the program. In these difficult times, we certainly appreciate those of you who continue to support SSI. Together, we recognize the importance of our obligation to the next generation, even if it means that we must make sacrifices in the short-run.
If you missed the banquet, or you would like to review portions of the program again, we are making the entire program available on DVD, for a suggested donation of $10. Just send us an email with your request.
New SSI Video Unveiled
Here’s our New SSI PROMOTIONAL VIDEO shown during the Banquet.
Photo Gallery
Ambassador League
The Ambassador League Program is an exciting - and challenging - way for SSI alumni to put their new-found vision into practice. The year-long curriculum is geared toward developing leadership skills and fostering responsible Christian citizenship in the context of learning to apply Biblical principles to the world. Learn more online at http://www.ssi-online.org/ambassador.
2008 John Quincy Adams Award Winners
The John Quincy Adams Award is named in honor of America's sixth president, who was just 14 when he accompanied an American envoy on a diplomatic mission to Russia. SSI encourages students to follow his example by pursuing public service at a young age and then remaining involved.
The following students completed every Ambassador League assignment over the past year to earn this prestigious award, which was presented by Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop during the SSI Annual Banquet.
Comments from this year's award winners...
Josh Eby
"What began as simply a year-long extension of SSI has turned out to be an exciting and eye-opening experience that has, in some ways, changed the way that I think about politics and my own role as a Christian in a dark world. Truth has become more real to me in the incarnate Christ and his living ministry. Justice has been clarified to mean what God considers right. It has taken an entire year, and I have completed 36 different assignments, yet I still do not feel I have done very much. I hope that neither the civic nor worldview training will be concluded with this course and I am inspired to do and learn more." Read the whole essay here.
Colleen Hoch
"It's hard for me to sum up what I learned in Ambassador League. The range of things I learned is so wide and varied. This program gave me new experiences. It made me do things that I never would have done otherwise. It gave me the opportunity to meet new people, experience new things and read new opinions. It taught me how to have an open mind and realize that there is so much out there to learn. I have experienced first-hand the importance of us being involved in every aspect of our society. What better place to start than right here at home?" Read the whole essay here.
Erin McKay
"Sometimes, it seems as though people today are afraid to challenge young people. It's as if everybody is walking around on their tiptoes and only worried about not offending you. SSI provided me with just the push I needed to get myself up and involved. Without SSI I don't know where I'd be today. Ambassador League has definitely been a one of a kind experience. It has been a spring board for me to realize the potential that lies within every single human being. This experience has provided me with a core set of values, and the knowledge to go out and make a difference in the world, and for that, I thank you." Read the whole essay here.
Emily Morcos
"This has been a remarkable year. There was so much I would never have done or have had the opportunity to do without the Ambassador League. It was a lot of work to get to this point, but it was worth it every step of the way. I couldn't have asked for, or even dreamed up a better program. The Ambassador League has opened up opportunities for me that I will continue to be involved in. For me, this is not the end of the Ambassador League it is just the beginning - the training session. Now, I feel that I am more prepared to be an Ambassador for Christ in my world. I'm not finishing up, I'm just getting started." Read the whole essay here.
Zak Weston
"It is difficult to briefly summarize a program like the Ambassador League. Before coming to SSI, I was a shy, introverted type who kept mostly to myself. I had few friends and no real self-motivation. SSI changed all that. Instead of waiting to become a leader in my community or in my church, I can do it now. It's been like a shot of spiritual adrenaline, compelling me to be an effective ambassador for Jesus Christ. I believe that God will use SSI and the Ambassador League in great ways to touch the lives of many students; I know He has already used both greatly in mine." Read the whole essay here.
Advertisers
Advance Employment
Lansing’s Professional Employer Organization
517-321-4765
Bethany Day Care Center
Christian preschool/kindergarten and latchkey programs
Belleville, MI
734-697-7455
Michael J. Bouchard
Oakland County Sheriff
Christian Broadcasting System
AM 600 WSNL Flint/Saginaw
AM 1390 LCM Lansing
The Dave Ramsey Show – Weekdays at 2:00 PM
810-694-4146
Gerweck & Company
Financial Consultants
Brooklyn, MI
800-597-3387
Great Lakes Christian College
Instruction for Life
Lansing, MI
Northwest Airlines
Thanks to Northwest for donating air travel for our guest speaker.
Cynthia and Bill Schuette
Table Hosts
Affluent Solutions
Anderson Economic Group
Benson’s Oakland Wholesale
Tom Bertino, P.C.
Bethany Ministry Foundation
Christ Centered Homes, Inc.
Christman Adult Care Home
Cypress Computer Systems
Faith Baptist Church of Waterford
Gethsemane Landscape Architectural Builders
Home School Help, LLC
Howlett Lock and Door
Steven Jentzen, P.C.
Sean Mattiello
Roy G. Michell Foundation
Nutritional Health of Lapeer, LLC
Packer and Associates
Dr. Stephen Shaya
Sterling Corporation
Zion Christian Church
The Evening's Program
| Welcome | Randy Marcial |
| SSI Banquet Emcee 1993-2008 & SSI Parent | |
| Opening Prayer | Emily Morcos |
| 2008 John Quincy Adams Award Winner | |
| National Anthem | Ron Jasky |
| Pledge of Allegiance | Erin McKay |
| 2008 John Quincy Adams Award Winner | |
| Dinner | |
| VIP Introductions | Jack Hoogendyk |
| State Representative | |
| Ambassador League | Mike Bishop |
| John Quincy | Senate Majority Leader |
| Adams Awards | Colleen Hoch |
| 2008 John Quincy Adams Award Winner | |
| Zak Weston | |
| 2008 John Quincy Adams Award Winner | |
| Presentation of SSI | James Muffett |
| Keynote Address | Jim Ryun |
| Closing Remarks | Randy Marcial |
| Benediction | Josh Eby |
| 2008 John Quincy Adams Award Winner |