SUMMER SEARCH TIMES

STUDENT REPORT
Every year, our students embark on life-altering journeys of positive change. Along the way, they face many challenges, learn hard
lessons, take responsibility for their actions and become outstanding leaders. Meet our students and their community of support.
Philadelphia Sophomore Helps
Build School in Mali– Michael
traveled to Mali with Building
With Books, a community service
organization that helps developing
countries increase self-reliance
through education. There, Michael
helped build a school that, upon
completion, will be the only school
within a five-mile radius.
Silicon Valley Juniors Carry Spring Event – The second annual
Silicon Valley Spring Event almost tripled in size from its inaugural
number. The returning juniors were instrumental in putting together the
event for families and acted as ambassadors in creating a very open
and welcoming atmosphere for guests. Thank you, Downtown College
Prep, for letting us use your school once again, and all the referral
partners who are continuing to help our program grow in Silicon Valley.
Seattle students cheer each other on at the Annual Run. The Annual Run is an
opportunity for students to bond with their cohort before embarking on summer
trips, and is also used by staff to assess student fitness and preparedness.
New York City Shares Joy with Mother and Son – New York
City thanks mother and son, Nina Asanza and Isaac Lliguin ’07, for
sharing their poignant story of struggle and change at the Spring
Event. Nina spoke proudly of her dreams coming true and beamed
when she announced that Isaac will attend Wheaton College this
fall on a scholarship through the Posse Foundation. Isaac shared
how the course of his understanding and interaction with his mother
was impacted by his Outward Bound trip. Thanks also to Simona
Vareikaite ’07 for her poem about hardships she has overcome and
her motivation to be successful. Simona will attend Northwestern
University on a full Torch scholarship this fall!
Philadelphia Celebrates Success of First Summer Search
Class – Summer Search Philadelphia Sophomore Lucky became the
first student to return from a 21-day backpacking and kayaking trip
with North Carolina Outward Bound. Lucky, a student from Bodine
High School for International Affairs, came home after taking risks and
challenging himself to new heights. When asked what the best part
was, Lucky responded, “Knowing that I could accomplish it”.
During his trip, Lucky learned to push himself and those around him. In
his essay Lucky writes:
Being out in the wilderness really gave me the experience of
doing the impossible. I learned to rock climb and white water
canoe; I learned how hard it was to do a ropes course fifty feet
above the air and how sometimes in life you have to take risks
in order to learn; only then will you learn to strive for the best
and that is how I learned how to self-discover. Taking risks and
striving for the best are the only ways I can make my dreams
come true.
Summer Search Philadelphia is proud to celebrate the return of Lucky
and twelve other students from their first summer trips.
Summer Search voices at the 2007 Silicon Valley Spring Event. (from left)
Alumnus speaker Carlton Colbert ’97, and student speakers Melina and Rosa.
SAVE THE DAVE: 2007 FALL EVENTS
Students and parents celebrate the students’ return
home from their summer trips through speeches,
award presentations, and a community dinner.
Boston: TBA
New York City: October
North San Francisco Bay: October
San Francisco: TBA
Seattle: Tuesday, October 16th (tentative)
Philadelphia: Thursday, October 25th (tentative)
Silicon Valley: Tuesday, October 9th
6 Student Report