Through WCCUSD’s Ivy League Connection program, Hercules High School Students Justine Betschart, Stacy Chan, Ramiah Davis-Shephard, Louisa Man, Julia Maniquiz, and Yueming Wang will be attending Cornell University to either study Freedom and Justice or Hotel Operations Management during the summer of 2009.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

9 days until our departure!

Oh, how fast the time has passed since the 6 of us were told that we would be attending Cornell University this summer! It's remarkable to think how it is a mere 9 days away. I truly can't wait, for I now feel prepared for my upcoming Freedom & Justice course.

For the past 2 months or so, my fellow Freedom & Justice students, Julia Maniquiz and Ramiah Davis, have been prepping for our class with course materials given to us in advance by Mr. Ramsey. These books included Plato's Republic, Princeton Readings in Political Thought and a hefty syllabus which included several passages and news articles regarding philosophy, freedom and justice. Between these pieces, the three of us have become familiar with the philosophies of Plato, John Stuart Mill, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, John Locke and Matthew.

Thanks to Mr. Ramsey's ability to grant us with the course several months in advance to our course, I feel so much more confident entering Professor Kramnick's intensive course. I also feel much more prepared with the help of my fellow students, whose inputs allow me to become a better philosophical thinker. This immense preparedness is make the course feel less intimidating, and will allow me to better absorb my college environment during the 3-week session.

While at Cornell University, I hope to take away the meaning of a true college experience. I also hope to take a way a better thought process in philosophy, which was planted by my amazing AP Language & Composition teacher and shall be finished by Professor Kramnick. I cannot wait to experience lectures, discussions and the harsh reality of college life. Who else can say that they've had the experience I will soon be partaking in?!

I am 100% sure that this experience will not only meet my expections, but will exceed them by miles. This experience is the best gift I have ever received, and it wouldn't be happening without the graciousness of Mr. Ramsey, Ms. Kronenberg, and the countless sponsors who keep this program thriving. This program has already opened my eyes to the endless opportunities open to me after my 2010 graduation. That alone is one of the most valuable lessons I will take away from this experience.

1 comment:

  1. Justine,

    A belated response here but at least I’m responding.

    All that any of us have done for you is to open a few doors and show you parts of the world you may not have known existed. What you do with those opportunities will rest with you but we have confidence in you.

    Cornell is one step on your way to an eye opening future. The experiences you’ll be a part of and the different perspectives you’ll have access to should kindle many fires.

    It will be fun to see what you and your cohorts do with what you’re going to be exposed to.

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