Tuesday, Pedro

The students are working together, and things are moving along. The purpose of the institute is being fulfilled. The institute is changing students' attitudes, and the leadership is being summoned. I see students feeling more comfortable, and  I see them willing to share their ideas. The students sudden change of heart is going to benefit them in the long run. I can't wait for tomorrow, another day for some more growth and expansion.

Monday 8/8, Pedro

          Today was a day of growth. I saw many brave souls. The challenge course was a place of bravery. Everyone was valiant and determined to get on the challenge course. The students took challenge by choice to heart. The students overcame their fears or nerves. I was more scared than the students. My feet were shaking, and quaking. I couldn't be more proud of this students.

Pedro Sunday

  

Kicking it post

Today was a good start to the week. The students are a lively bunch. I started to connect with students. I enjoy talking to students, and I enjoy telling my story to the students. I can relate to the majority of the students. I really appreciated the questions had during the mentor fair. The students were alert and aware today. I hope the students enjoyed the day. Tomorrow will be a challenging for some students, but I don't doubt anyone. They all have the necessary strength within them.

German- Sunday 8/7

The new batch of students have arrived and from what I heard throughout the day they are excited about what is going to happen throughout this week. Their jaws dropped when they were reminded that they would be getting a wake up call each morning for a light exercise routine. It's time for them to give there all and try to soak in everything that we have to offer. These students like the past group of teens that have come to the institute have shown signs of having leadership skills already installed inside them. This week well allow them to find new ways in which they can become a leader in their community and group of friends.

German, Tuesday 8/2

The students were pushed to their breaking points today, after an early morning warm-up and a quick game of different sports, the students were ready to start their day. After breakfast, the students were off to their classrooms where they would learn about choice making and goal setting. The students were most attentive when we gathered them all up for a small group activity that challenged them in working together with a different set of partners.

Pedro, Tuesday

         Today was a good day. I enjoyed the classroom activities. I saw a lot of growth in the students. The students are starting to open up, and they are more willing to share in their groups. The brigde activity was entertaining. So many ideas, and some many perspectives were demonstrated. The egg drop was the best. I finally witnessed two successful egg drops. Dodgeball was a blast. The students were throwing balls back and forth. I got hit plenty of times.

Jose 8-2-011

It's been a great week so far. The students are connecting and building relationships with each other which is exciting to witness. I love to see the way that students grow during the week and how much confidence they gain from the Institute. The students gain a lot of knowledge about college but most importantly they begin to have hope and believe that they can overcome their obstacles no matter what they might be. I am just happy to be a part of the Institute and I hope to help every student in anyway. I want the best for them and to demonstrate them that people do care about them and want to see them succeed.

German-Monday 8/1

With each new group of student leaders that arrive to the institute their goals are similar, to become leaders in their communities, within their family and circle of friends.. They bring an open mind for the different activities and lessons we have set out. The participation of each student is a great asset in building close relationships with their peers. These new bonds that they form here will hopefully follow them throughout their life, they have the opportunity to support one another to succeed in having a higher education.

First Week Fun

It has been hectic and tiring this week, but the time I have spent with my group has been well worth it.  I know that at times it got a little boring. Having to spend an entire day inside a classroom required a bit more energy than I had anticipated.  Despite being a bit fatigued from the morning runs and walking around the students provided the incentive to stay upbeat and smile. The students have been great. The enthusiasm they brought kept me and the other mentors going this week. Being with them has shown me the importance of assisting later generations, especially those from underserved and migrant communities.


The times we spent during the institute will be a part of me for the rest of my life.

German, Monday

The fun has just started for this group of sixty students that arrived on the OSU campus. The students from the first day have begun to create bonds with their peers and mentors at the institute. It is expected to see them ill at ease on their first day; perhaps the distance far away from home is the reason or the fact that they have doubts or concerns about the institute.

As the second day has come to an end the student leaders have began to hold a grasp of how to use their leadership skills in real life situation. They have supported each other by cheering on their fellow companions while being high up on a ropes course. These students are expected to be attentive through the entire day which starts at six a.m. with some exercise and packed with lessons and activities and the daily evening blog.

Yanele OMLI

So today is the second day of the OMLI institute, and believe me it has been quite an adventure already. I am very excited to see all the students and how they begin to interact more and more with one another. I can see the students in my group and how they are becoming more confident in themselves an more willing to share their thoughts. Its incredible to see the bonds that are being formed not only between the students but between the staff  and students . We are all working very hard to give the best we can to the students so they can develop better leadership skills, and hopefully throughout the week they become more comfortable with the whole institute.