At SSI we love to hear from our alumni, parents, educators, financial supporters, and partners in ministry. Here is where you will find the
latest news of their endeavors as ambassadors for Christ.
Do you have a testimony of how SSI has impacted your life, or an update on your current adventures? Send it to
Mr. Muffett here. You just may see it posted on this page!
Read our archived buzzing here.
4/23/2013
“The SSI Onsite Mock Legislature turned out to be one of the best programs that we have used at our school in a long time. The students responded well to the challenge, and they have had nothing but positive comments regarding the experience.”
Tony Bryson
Administrator, Lake Orion Baptist School
3/7/2013
State Representative Earl Poleski today talks with Peter Baergen of Leslie and Ambassador League Agent Amber Donihue of Parma on the state House floor at the Capitol. Miss Donihue shadowed and interviewed the Representative and attended a Committee Hearing. The highlight was being invited to sit on the House Floor.
2/8/2013
"I was always interested in history, but I never did anything with my secondary interest in politics until I started to get involved [in high school]... I watched the news, and I would always talk about politics with my dad, but I never really had a career interest in it... Politics is something a lot of people ignore because they feel like they don't have any influence, but it's an essential part of everyone’s life... It is a tool I can use to help people."
Andrew Reed
SSI Alum & "Frank M. Fitzgerald Public Service Award" winner
Read more: Reed, '16, Rewarded for Service in Public Arena
2/8/2013
“SSI has truly made a significant impact in my life. I didn't know what to expect going in and was honestly a little nervous at first, just coming off my sophomore year of high school. But everything about this week taught me so much about our government and it sparked a new passion in me--to make a difference in our government with the convictions of my faith. I absolutely loved being able to collaborate as a team in the mock House of Representatives, debating over real-time bills and speaking at the State Capitol. Ever since SSI, I have been very interested in our government and even treat the past presidential debates like sports--in how much I follow them. For example, during the 2008 election and my junior year in high school, I was a huge advocate of Mike Huckabee and let fellow students and staff know about it! For the past 2012 election, I was able to be a part of the national media room in covering the Republican Presidential Debate at Oakland University as an Oakland News Bureau Video Reporter. I also was a volunteer to help out the day of and worked my way into eventually meeting and speaking with Senator Rick Santorum. SSI taught me how to use my biggest passion and drive in life--my faith in Jesus Christ--in our government to ultimately glorify His name and do big things for His Kingdom.”
Charles Lapastora
SSI alumnus and “Keeper of the Dream Award” winner at Oakland University
2/1/2013
We want to congratulate SSI alumnus Charles LaPastora, who received a “Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award” at Oakland University. See the story here!
1/30/2013
“SSI was an incredible experience! I really hope I’ll be able to go back! I was so encouraged in my faith, and inspired to be a godly leader. I also made some good friends. And I learned so much! By actually doing government, I learned more than I could have by just reading about it.”
2012 SSI Alum & Faith Lutheran Troy Fund financial aid recipient
1/30/2013
"All I can say is WOW! The other students (especially the veterans) were so real and friendly. Our speakers were engaging and inspiring, and their lectures were relevant to a teenager. The experience at SSI changed my outlook on life."
2012 SSI Alum & Faith Lutheran Troy Fund financial aid recipient
1/30/2013
"The most important revelation is this: we are called to be ambassadors for Christ. In everything we do we are to honor Him; with our hearts, with our minds and with our lives. SSI is now a passion in my heart that will never go out and a flame that will never die.”
2012 SSI Alum & Faith Lutheran Troy Fund financial aid recipient
1/23/2013
“Thank you for supporting my future by paying for the Student Statesmanship Institute. Thanks to your support, I have grown not only in my skills as a public speaker and writer, but also in all other areas of my life such as my education, my friendships and my faith. I have developed my skills and abilities and now have a greater chance of success in business, and have been able to gain trust in both myself and the one who made me."
I.D.
SSI alumnus and financial aid recipient
1/23/2013
“Attended a state legislature committee meeting today for the first time. Very interesting to watch - SSI has done a terrific job replicating the process!”
Daniel Bryson
SSI Chaperone
