WETLANDS ESTONOA
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2010 Washington DC Trip
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Team Estonoa's Visit to Washington DC
 
Team Estonoa is representing St. Paul High School and Wise County Schools during presentations & displays on April 23 & 24, 2010. The Team presentation consists of four components; SPHS, Wetlands Estonoa, WATeR, and our Mussel Nursery on the Clinch. We will be away April 22-25.
 
This page is a journal of sorts so parents, friends, students and others with interest can get an idea of what they're doing day by day. The plan is to update it every evening by 10:30 pm with the day's happenings. Expect to see personal notes, activities and pictures! Extra pictures and comments will also be posted on the galleries set up for each day. See the navigation to the left for the day by day galleries.
 

 

We're starting this journal Sunday, April 18, 2010 as there's a lot going on before departure and in preparation for the trip. The team hopes you enjoy... be sure to visit every day!  Here we go...

 
Sunday, April 18
 

We have three more days to prepare before going to D.C. I'm excited, worried and very proud! Excited to go, worried we'll not be good enough AND so proud of Team Estonoa.
-Terry Vencil
 

In four days we will be leaving for Washington D.C. We are presenting for multiple federal agencies. This is going to be the greatest experience of my life. All of our hard work and dedication will all be worth it. I'm getting nervous but even more so I am very excited.
-Skyler Campbell
 

This Thursday at 6:00 in the morning, we will start our adventure to Washington D.C. I am super ecstatic about this and to present Estonoa to multiple federal agencies. I hope this will make them realize how special our school is even though we are small.
-Taylor Stanley
 

I am very excited and nervous about our trip to Washington D.C. We are presenting Estonoa to multiple agencies. This is going to be a great experience. We will be gone for four days from 6 a.m. on Thursday the 22nd until 4 p.m. Sunday the 25th. I can't wait!
-Kaeleb Gibson
 

What an incredible experience this is for these students to be recognized on a national level. It is really phenominal what they have and are accomplishing. It saddens me to think how some adults don't see this and want to close our school. These students have and all do work so hard for everything they get.
-Ann Wade
 
 
Monday, April 19
 VDOE Press Release Announcing Presentations in DC.
 

 

Tonight we presented our presentation to the Town Council. I was super nervous however, I had a lot of fun.

-Taylor Stanley

 

We did our D.C. presentation for the Town of St. Paul. It was really fun especially when they stood up and clapped. The town council gave us $550 to go on our trip. John Jones gave us $500 more. We greatly appreciate the generous donations.

-Kaeleb Gibson

 

We presented for the Town Council and received a $550 donation. We also received $500 from John Jones at the Alumni Association. Thanks Town of St. Paul and St. Paul Alumni Association.

-Ashley Slate

 

Presenting in front of the Town Council was a rush. I was nervous but I also had a blast. I feel more confident each time we present. I'm so excited and am counting down the minutes for D.C. Thanks for the donation and support Town Council! I would also like to thank John Jones for the additional $500.

-Skyler Campbell

 

I was so proud of the students! They presented to the St. Paul Town Council and did a fantastic job. So professional, so great!!

-Terry Vencil

 

I just want to say how proud I am of all of you. Terry, you are the best! And the team is beyond comparison. Thank you for allowing me to hover! And thanks for sharing them with me! Town Council, you've got a treasure in Wetlands Estonoa and these talented young people!

-Pam Campbell-Vance

 
 
Tuesday, April 20
 
Today I planned my outfits for the days we will be in Washington D.C. and made sure my permission slip was signed. I am very excited for the trip and cannot wait. When I got home, I slept all afternoon.
-Chloe Parsell 
 
Today I started packing my suitcase with my amazing outfits, and I also packed a huge bag of snacks in case I get the munchies on the way to D.C. This trip will be amazing!
-Ashley Slate
 
It's Tuesday and we are supposed to leave in two days. I'm getting more nervous and excited every second.
-Taylor Stanley
 
Can 6 a.m. Thursday morning come any quicker!? This week has been busy and has been filled with preparations for our trip. All I have left to do is pack, pack, pack!!!
-Skyler Campbell
 
All day long we practiced, practiced, and practiced. Work, work, work!!!
-Terry Vencil
 
 
Wednesday, April 21
 
We are going to pack the van after school and try to fit everything in it. Hopefully, we can take Mrs. Vencil's car so I will have room to stretch out and sleep on Skyler's shoulder. This is my first time visiting Washington D.C. so I am extremely nervous. We leave tomorrow, YAY!
-Ashley Slate
 
Tomorrow is the day! We leave dark and early. I cannot wait to be on the road. I'm sitting here watching my mom iron my shirts and pants for the trip. Chicken lasagna is in the oven, can't wait to enjoy a great dinner before D.C.
-Skyler Campbell
 
We are leaving for Washington D.C. tomorrow and I'm getting more nervous by the minute! But I know it's going to be an amazing trip and they will love our presentation. :-)
-Taylor Stanley
 
We've packed and now the quiet is setting in --- I don't know if I can sleep tonight!
-Terry Vencil
 
We only have one more night before we leave. I can't wait, I'm so excited. Tomorrow is going to be a long car ride but I'm sure it'll be worth it.
-Kaeleb Gibson
 
Thursday, April 22
 
We finally made it to D.C. We only got lost a couple of times, and only lost half of our group. We finally got checked in the Four Points by Sheraton and here I am typing and updating our website. I've come to realize D.C. drivers cannot drive and they like to use their horns, well I will definetly update later, and I'm ready for our journey to begin.
-Skyler  Campbell
 
This old man enjoys being around Team Estonoa. Their energy keeps me young at heart but they wear me out.
-Dean Vencil
 
I can't imagine living without teaching. These kids make my life worth while. I can't wait until tomorrow!
-Terry Vencil
 
We finally made it to D.C. after a few wrong turns and many phone calls for directions. I'm starting to get tired.  We are meeting at 4:30 to walk around and try to find somewhere good to eat.  Tonight we are going to make code names for everybody. It'll be a good night.
-Ashley Slate
 
The ride up was quick and there was not much traffic until we reached the D.C. area. It was fun even though we lost our way a few times, we still got to see the buildings and monuments. The hotel is comfy and in a great place to walk around. I'm thankful I was able to attend this event, and even more thankfuI that I am with my best friends and great teachers/mentors.
-Chloe Parsell
 
Our adventure up here was probably the scariest one I've ever been on. However, I'm super glad to be here. Thank God we arrived safely.
-Taylor Stanley
 
Our trip up here was both fun and nerve racking. I am so happy to be here, even though it was long and tiring. Can't wait untill tomorrow.
-Kaeleb Gibson
 
 
Friday, April 23
 
An hour ago we presented in front of a group of people, IMPORTANT people. It was so nerve racking, but it was also very very very amazing, I loved it! D.C. is a very fascinating place, I love it and cannot wait to come back here in the future. Tomorrow we get to present on the National Mall, I'm stoked and can't wait for everyone to come out and see what Estonoa really is.
-Skyler Campbell
 
Today was the culmination of all of our anxiety and excitement. We had so many fears and expectations coming up, but none of them happened. For a bunch of "suits", they cared, or pretended to very well. After today I realize how important we are and how lucky we are to be in this position. I am thankful. I got quite emotional at the presentation when a question was asked about what Virginia and the Board of Education could do for our school. One word stuck in my mind, Consolidation. We all cried. However, we were consoled after the standing ovations and comforting smiles and hugs afterwards. Today was emotional and awesome.
                                                                   -Chloe Parsell
 
I am glad that our presentation went very nicely.  We came back to the hotel and I took a nappie.  Both schools met in the lobby of our hotel to de-brief with Mrs. Marilyn Elder.  We chose to take a bus night tour around D.C. to see the many different monuments and  it was lovely.  On the bus ride back to our hotel we giggled and talked about our new "posse". While eating pizza in our hotel, "Mama Odie" owned "Klab".  I think I will go to bed now.
-Ashley Slate
 
Today the students did an amazing job, they represented Wise County well!!
-Terry Vencil
 
Today we presented our presentation and it was very nerve racking and emotional. But I had a lot of fun and tonight we toured the city and got to see all the monuments. It was extraordinary and thank you Mrs. Abbott for your answer to our question.
-Taylor Stanley
 
Today we presented in front of a lot of very important people. It was very fun, but at the same time very emotional because of the consolidation topic. Tonight we went on the night tour, it was amazing, I had a blast. Can't wait until tomorrow. 
-Kaeleb Gibson
 
 
 
Saturday, April 24
 

 
Today we presented on the National Mall and honestly it was more nerve racking than presenting in front of the EPA and the DOE.  But we also went shopping at Union Station and I had an enormous amount of fun.  I also rode in a taxi for the first time which was lovely.  This trip has been amazing and I really don't want it to end, especially if the ride home was as scary as the one up here.  Just Kiddin!!! :)
-Taylor Stanley
 
From a task-oriented person, the students did an amazing job and I am so proud of each and every one of them.
-Terry Vencil
 
From a life-oriented person, I have enjoyed this trip. The students have done an amazing job.
-Ann Wade
 
Words cannot even explain how amazing this place has been, it is whole other world, I love it here. Presenting on the National Mall was an experience. We were one of two high school there, which was really impressive. I enjoyed giving brief information on Estonoa and handing out brochures and business cards. This trip was well worth it!!!! We got a one way ticket to Union Station. We shopped and ate there and took a taxi back to the hotel. I don't want to leave this place, but I do miss my family and my friends :) I cannot wait to get back!
-Skyler Campbell
 
Washington D.C. has been a great place to visit. Today we presented on the Mall, which was a lot of fun. This evening we rode the subway to Union Station. In Union Station we shopped and ate. It was a blast. I kind of don't want to leave, but at the same time I'm ready to go home.  Southwest Virginia here we come.
-Kaeleb Gibson
 
  
Sunday, April 25
 
Drive, drive, drive!!! Glad to get home but hate to let my friends go...See ya in the morning.
-Terry Vencil
 
We got up at 7:00 and left at 8:00. At first, I was dreading going home but now I am thrilled to get the driving over with. Home won't be so bad, I suppose.
-Chloe Parsell
 
What a great time!!! Wish we had another day to spend in D.C. Great conference, great time, great people. Wonderful presentation by our students.
-Ann Wade
 
Today we drove home. It was a long drive. I'm glad to be back.
-Kaeleb Gibson
 
These last couple of days in D.C. have been amazing. I could see myself going back to D.C. and pursing some career there. I loved it! I am also thankful that I got to go with a wonderful group of people. I cannot wait for another great opportunity like this, I mean how many students can say they got to go to D.C. and present in front of different agencies? I feel honored and I do believe I represented Wise County and St. Paul High School well. It is now back to school, and focusing on the last month before summer :)
-Skyler Campbell
 
 
 
 WHAT AN ADVENTURE!