SSI 2009 Summer Program Report
Jump To Week One Broadcasts & Newspapers
Jump To Week Two Broadcasts & Newspapers
Jump To Week Three Broadcasts & Newspapers
Week 1 Overview
"At first, I wasn't completely sure about coming here. On Monday, I wasn't even sure why everyone liked it so much. But as the days passed by,
I began to enjoy it. I've had so much fun. I'm glad my parents had me come to SSI." - J.L., SSI Week One first time student
Quotes like the one above are encouraging and really meaningful to us. We work hard and dedicate our time, talent and resources into
making SSI a unique and life-changing experience, and this kind of feedback really makes it all worthwhile.
Week One was incredible!
We hosted 116 students who were all involved in a real-world simulation. Some were State Representatives and Senators debating real bills,
some were on business teams managing their 40 million dollar company through a competitive eight year cycle. (Because of the increased interest,
this year we launched an Advanced Business Track which was much more complex and challenging). Some were journalists who produced a daily
Newspaper and two TV News Broadcasts.
The learning curve is steep and the lessons last a lifetime, but they tell us that it's fun! Imagine that!
This year, we are especially excited to have SSI alumni actually in charge of major aspects of the program. Zyrek Castelino and Jeremy Barancik
produced the News Broadcasts for the Media track, and Ryan Kolis was the administrator for the Basic and Advanced Business Tracks. In addition,
we were blessed with a great group of Aides de camp who are college age former SSI students who want to pass what they learned on to younger
students.
Week One was intense, exhilarating, challenging, fast-paced, fun and extremely rewarding.
Here are the news broadcasts and newspapers:
Week One Wednesday Broadcast
(Click here if the embedded video on this page doesn't work for you.)
Week One Friday Broadcast
(Click here if the embedded video on this page doesn't work for you.)
Monday Paper I Tuesday Paper I Wednesday Paper I Thursday Paper I Friday Paper
Week 2 Overview
SSI Week Two was a great success! Nearly 100 students - including one missionary kid from as far away as Indonesia - enjoyed
an exhilarating and challenging week of learning and FUN!
In addition to the legislative and media tracks, Week Two featured
a Mock Trial in which students became lawyers for the prosecution and defense and served as jurors in a criminal case. In addition, some students
tackled the challenging Moot Court Appellate Track and argued constitutional law before a panel of three judges-complete with pointed questions
and a lively exchange. Folks, these are high school students. You just have to see it to believe it!
As is always the case, all of the speakers and coaches did an outstanding job of reaching the hearts and minds of the young people.
We were extremely blessed to have Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan, former undercover narcotics agent turned pastor and
missionary Wally Hostetter, and Terry Kuhns who operates a successful and growing Christian mentoring program to help prisoners transition
back into society. See the entire list of speakers and coaches here.
We were thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic response from the students. Many rededicated their lives to serve the Lord
and one young man gave his heart to Christ on Thursday. Exciting!
Here are the Week Two news broadcasts and newspapers:
Week Two Wednesday Broadcast
(Click here if the embedded video on this page doesn't work for you.)
Week Two Friday Broadcast
(Click here if the embedded video on this page doesn't work for you.)
Monday Paper I Tuesday Paper I Wednesday Paper I Thursday Paper I Friday Paper
Week 3 Overview
Week Three is unique in that we don't have the Business or Judicial Tracks as in Weeks One and Two. The numbers are smaller and the percentage
of first-time students is higher, giving the whole week a different feel. Some of the students tell us that they actually like the more intimate
nature of Week Three, and this year SSI News Reporter Dee Lloyd even went so far as to write a piece in the SSI Observer Newspaper about that.
Although you can read the full article on page 2 of the Week 3
Wednesday edition of the SSI Observer newspaper, here's the last paragraph:
"Maybe it's the intimate environment. Maybe it's
the combination of people who have been here for several weeks and years mixing with people who are here for the very first time ever. Maybe it's
because the staff is well-seasoned and prepared after two weeks of the SSI experience, or maybe they're just tired, which is why everyone seems
relaxed. Whatever the real reason may be, I do know one thing for sure: WEEK 3 ROCKS!!!!!!"
One other very special aspect of Week Three is that SSI alums from many years ago were given an opportunity to share their lives with the
students. This year we were excited to welcome Deborah Thomas (1996 and long-time chaperone) and Derek Muller (1998-1999) on Wednesday night.
Although their "post-SSI" stories were very different, both shared a powerful testimony of God's grace and faithfulness in their lives.
Read the whole story HERE.
By all accounts, SSI 2009 was a great success. We owe a debt of gratitude to the coaches, Aides-de-camp, chaperones, guest speakers and other
volunteers without which we simply could not do it.
As is always the case there were many positive comments from students such as the one above! We love the encouragement from student responses,
but it is also gratifying to hear the parents on the final day say things such as: "Thank you for a wonderful program." "My (son, daughter) had
an incredible time, though they didn't want to go in the beginning." "How do you manage to inspire these kids to perform at such a high level?"
"This is an incredible program!" "This really gives me hope for the future!" "We'll be back next year, for sure."
Here are the News Broadcasts and Newspapers for Week Three:
Week Three Wednesday Broadcast
(Click here if the embedded video on this page doesn't work for you.)
Week Three Friday Broadcast
(Click here if the embedded video on this page doesn't work for you.)
Monday Paper I Tuesday Paper I Wednesday Paper I Thursday Paper I Friday Paper
