HOME...Safe and Sound!!!!!!!!!!!

Look for photos and stories soon!!

Day Five...

Well...we make the trip back to the airport to pick her up today. She called last night...she is ready to come home. She has one of her new friends on her flight home with her...so she is very excited about that.

(just on a side note...she never came across another person from Michigan while she was there...it looks like she may have been the soul representative of our state!)

We (the girls, my mom and I) will be leaving today at 12:30 to make the 3+ hour drive to the airport. Please pray for safety for Tate, and us as we travel today.

Thank you for your support and prayers over the last 5 months...she wouldn't have been able to do it without you...and I know she is excited to get home and share her experience with you!

Here is the final e mail and slide show.

Dear Parent,

JrNYLC has been a week filled with adventure and learning. It is hard to believe that Tatelynn will return home tomorrow! Of course, we are keeping her busy on her journey of leadership until the end. Throughout the day, Tatelynn polished her newfound leadership skills with a presentation and discussion of her LFG's social project. In the evening, she watched Shackleton's Antarctic Adventures, an IMAX movie about Sir Ernest Shackleton’s trans-Antarctic journey. Tatelynn will end the night with a sleepover at Adventure Links.

To see photos of today's activities at JrNYLC, click here.

Day Four...

Another day...another call. She had a lot of exciting stories to tell about today, the highlights being...one...she made more new friends...and two she learned how to load a civil war type gun...(whatever those are called?) She is a little bummed that this adventure is almost done...

Here is the latest email...and slide show...(she is in this one a few times!)

Dear Parent,

Today Tatelynn traveled to Harpers Ferry which is located at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Now considered a national park, this beautiful area was the site of abolitionist John Brown’s daring, and ultimately unsuccessful, raid on a federal armory in 1859. Along with park rangers dressed in historical garb, Tatelynn engaged in a variety of simulations that mimicked life in the United States during the years leading up to the Civil War. The scholars scrubbed laundry on a wash board, participated in military drills and learned some fun folk dances. Tatelynn also examined Brown’s life story and discussed his leadership characteristics. Following that, the scholars studied the challenges Brown faced and then debated his actions.

To see a photo slideshow of Tatelynn and her fellow scholars at Harpers Ferry, click here.

Day Three...

Got another call from her last night...she is still having a great time...she didn't take nearly enough film...they ate at an Italian restaurant yesterday...unlimited spaghetti...right up her alley!

Here is the newest email and slide show.


Dear Parent,

Today, Tatelynn continued her investigation of Washington, D.C.'s rich history with an exploration of some of our most important historical monuments: the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial. Afterwards, she was then able to visit the re-opened National Portrait Gallery, which houses nearly 20,000 works of art featuring men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, development and culture of the United States. The scholars also stopped for a photo opportunity at the White House.

At each of these sites, Tatelynn learned how leaders use their "voice" to take a stand and make a difference. In the evening, she worked with her LFG members to create a social organization to serve as their own "voice of courage" for a special topic that impacts local communities. This final project tasked her with using the new leadership skills she has developed at JrNYLC this week. Be sure to check in with Tatelynn to hear about her LFG's project!

To view pictures of today's activities, click here.

Day two...

We got a call from Tate last night...her exact words..."it is soooo cool here...I have made so many friends!". Making friends was something she was worried about...I knew she would not have a problem. Here is the newest email...and slide show...I didn't find her in any of the photos yet...but I haven't looked real hard. ENJOY!!


Dear Parent,

It has been a busy day! Tatelynn started her educational journey in Washington, D.C. by experiencing five centuries of news at the high-tech Newseum. Here, she learned about the history of the news and the role it plays in our society, while exploring hands-on exhibits and up-to-the-second technology. In the afternoon, Tatelynn went on a walking exploration of our country's legislative branch on Capitol Hill.

In the evening, she re-convened with her LFG to engage in a First Amendment simulation. In this fictional scenario, the scholars took one of two sides in preparation for an impending debate. Tatelynn had the option of either supporting the right of students to wear "peace patches" in school or advocating for increased community policing against the distraction that the patches would cause. Employing her communication skills, Tatelynn debated and negotiated with her fellow scholars, citing relevant support for her side. Be sure to ask Tatelynn which side she took!

To view photo slideshows from Tatelynn's day, click here.

Day One...

We started our day bright and early yesterday. We were on the road at 6:45 am. We arrived at the airport in plenty of time...got her all checked in...got through security...found her gate...and had about 30 minutes to spare. As we sat and waited we started to see other kids that were dressed in the required khaki pants and white shirt for arrival day...as it turns out there were 5 other JrNYLC kids on her flight...and one of the boys father was flying with him...so he would make sure that everyone found there people on the other end! That was a huge stress reliever for sure!!

They started boarding the plane at 10:30...and at 10:45 we said our teary goodbye...(I was teary...she was embarrassed that I was teary!) and at 10:57 her plane pulled away from the gate.

We headed over to Lincoln Park Zoo, and just after we found a parking spot...(which took about an hour...and cost a small fortune) the phone rang and it was Tate! She had landed safe and sound...she thought the plane ride was "cool"...and she was excited to get off the plane and get to the hotel and meet everyone.

I can't wait for her to call to let us in on some more details...like her roommates...what sites she has seen...etc.

Here is the email that I received this morning...I will be getting an email everyday...and there will be a slide show with each of them. Tate is in a few pictures in this slide show...


Dear Parent,

I am happy to report that Tatelynn has arrived at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) and is already immersed in a journey of learning and self-discovery! Tatelynn has been assigned to the Character 2 Leadership Focus Group (LFG) led by Kim Johnson, her faculty advisor for the week. The Leadership Focus Group is a small group that Tatelynn will meet with over the course of the week to focus on and discuss leadership concepts in a close-knit setting.

In her LFG's first meeting, Tatelynn participated in icebreakers with the other students and received an introduction to the different leadership concepts that will be covered throughout JrNYLC: character, communication, goal setting, problem solving, respect and teamwork. Tatelynn also worked with her group to set goals for the week and write a group constitution.

To view a photo slideshow from the first day of JrNYLC, click here.

planes...trains...and automobiles...

well...we are on our way (in an automobile) to the airport to put Tate on a plane to Washington DC!!!

She is excited...and a little nervous.

I am a lot nervous...and a little excited.

Our friends from Illinois are going (to take the train) to meet us at the Lincoln Park Zoo for the afternoon. It has been over a year since we have seen them...we are very excited!!

I'll update blogs when we get home tonight...and throughout the week, as we hear about all the fun adventures she is having.

Please pray for her today and during this week for safety and just for a wonderful experience.

Thank you in advance!