A New World
- By: Shelby Stanton
- Created on: 09/25/2009
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“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”(Anais Nin) There are no better words than these to describe my trip to Washington DC (and Valley Forge). In the spring of 2009, I competed in an essay competition called Voice of Democracy. Upon winning at the state level, I was given a free trip to Washington DC and Valley Forge to compete nationally against 53 other high school kids -one from every state (plus Puerto Rico, Germany and Japan). The trip also included visits to many of our nation’s historic landmarks, including the Arlington National Cemetery, the Washington Monument and the White House. At the time I won, I was beyond excited about the scholarship money. Little did I know the journey that I was about to begin was worth more than any monetary value.
We could not have been more different. On our first day the grand hall of The Omni Hotel was full of non-stop chatter as all 53 of us began to get to know each other. Soon enough we were all calling each other by our state’s name (I was ‘New Hampshire’ – my roommate was ‘Tennessee’).
On the second night we found a magnificent white grand piano in the hotel lobby. Since many of us enjoyed singing or playing the piano, we all gathered around and when Idaho (the pianist for the night), asked what song we all knew that we could sing together, everyone went quiet. I was the one to break the silence in a very meek voice, stating that the only music I knew well was Praise and Worship. Turns out almost all of us loved Worship music. It was absolutely eye opening for me to find so many kids who had so many different beliefs and were comfortable enough in their own skin to say so.
Every person there inspired me in some way: Narrissa from Puerto Rico who showed me what an incredible country America really is and all the amazing opportunities I take for granted. Jocelyn and David (Maryland and DC)who showed me that it’s okay not to conform to the “typical social norms” high school creates. Kate (Wisconsin) helped me let go, and let love. Matt, Rhode Island, demonstrated that no matter how much of a genius a person is, kindness is truly the most impressive act anyone can demonstrate.
My accompanying video captures the bond we shared by the end of our trip. In Social Studies my teacher will mention Iowa, Tennessee or Kentucky. These were states to me, now they are so much more. There are not words to describe our last day together. We had all changed in some way or another, all leaving a better person than when we arrived. After I had said my final goodbye, the faces of the people I had come to know and love blurred before me as the tears flowed down my cheeks. I could not bear to look back as I walked away, for I knew I would never have the courage to leave if I did. I will never forget this trip or the amazing friends I made. “Friend” is such a small word. Each person truly created a new world within me.
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