The college process is becoming such a huge part of teenages lives. The pressure to get into a good university is building up to new levels. Here is a satire I wrote on the whole idea.

The more I think about it the more I see that going through the stressful process of applying to colleges is a key part of one’s adolescent growth. Of course it is vital to first go through the stress of getting good grades in the top classes. Then, you begin to add on the pressure of actually completing the applications. The stress that builds inside you during these three or so very important years of your life is something that will build you up to be a better person. This stress is what gets you into that one college at the bottom of your list; without it you may as well not try.
As sophomore year comes around you start thinking about what requirements you need to fill, and what classes and committees ought to appear on your college application. This is where the stress starts to filter into your body- if it hasn’t already. Throughout the year you become increasingly worried about getting those straight A’s, as well as keeping a good balance with the extra-curricular activities. Older classmen keep telling you, if you think this year is stressful you have no idea! Comments like these are very good because they help raise the anxiety level- keeping you healthy. Soon, before you know it, you are entering one of the best years of your high school career…junior year. Now, the pressure is really on. Temperature is rising, adding depth to your character and making you a more interesting person. You have to hang out amongst those A’s, and continue to add to the list of achievements. Oh, and of course lack of sleep is a prerogative. So pile on the stress and become a happier, healthier person.
Junior year has ended, you have taken SAT prep all year on top of everything else, and you have only taken the SAT’s five times. You are going to have to study all summer, as well as ‘rack up’ one hundred and fifty hours of community service. The point of stress in your body has almost reached its peak, meaning you are nearly the happiest and healthiest person you will ever be. By the end of the summer, you have taken tours of twenty colleges at considerable cost, finished your two week internship in Washington D.C, completed all of your community service, come in first place in the New Hampshire summer marathon, begun pre-season training, almost memorized the dictionary, and indulged in too many hours of sleep. Now it is time to begin the applications.
You’re classified as a senior, and AP classes flash across the billboard of your new school curriculum (last years were not enough). You have to begin to fill out your applications- you have made sure that you have ten unlikelys, ten possibles, and ten that might be considered realistic options. You are already debating the early decision route. Of course, you are still studying the dictionary so you can notch up your score on the SAT’s, and you are also working at the humane society on Saturdays. Your social life comprises of talking with your teachers about work, but isn’t that exactly what is needed? You are now at the highest level of stress that is possible for a human being, congratulations! You really should look forward to this time in your life because this is essential to your development. You will realize that ‘misery loves company’ and be happier as a result- you will feel elated, numbed by stress.
Do not try to run away from this wondrous experience. It is the path to college after all, an intrinsic part of high school life. Join the ranks; suffer from insomnia, eating disorders, anger management, and depression- like my cousin. She has done very well because of it.

Finally, after missing my flight due to gate changes, and lots of confusion I arrived back in Boston. Here are the day's events from Thursday.
Thursday morning, after eating a yummy breakfast and packing our bags, Ginger and I took a taxi over to the Fabiani and Company office to meet with the rest of the group. Unluckily we had lost another member of our group but everyone was excited to keep trying to get this resolution passed. The day was another bright blue sky, warm weather day.very unlike what I am used to for this time in New Hampshire. I felt much more comfortable as we sat in the taxi on the way to the first meeting of the day- most of my Wednesday butterflies had disappeared.

1st Meeting
The first meeting was in the office of Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA). The two staff members of Senator Arlen Specter were helpful in saying that it would be a good idea to talk to members of the Help Committee. Although they showed a lot of interest in the problem of youth homelessness, it was obvious that Senator Specter is very busy and it seemed like the issue might not be able to get as much attention in his office.

Walking the hallways and stairs of the Hart Senate building is not the easiest task when blisters, on feet, from the day before are still quite raw, but that is part of the whole process. It's important to get as much out of the experience as possible, and hey, a little bit of pinch keeps you on your toes!

2nd Meeting
Seeing as we had already gained the support of a few congress people, meeting and discussing the issue with the senators was important. Next on the list was Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA). The one concern coming from the legislative assistant was how other organizations helping homeless youth would react to a resolution that didn't include their company's name. Anyways, the staff member said, "I can't imagine why the senator wouldn't want to co-sponsor this resolution" - good news for us.

We wandered down to the cafeteria; even though it was only eleven, it was going to be the only lunch break available. I sat and listened (eating my lunch) while the rest of the group talked about different issues, political and non-political. It's really interesting getting out into the world, meeting different people, and listening to new and different opinions. The hour hand was drawing closer to noon and it was time to meet with an actual senator.

3rd Meeting
The third meeting of the day was quite an experience for me. We were able to meet with Senator Johnny Isakson himself. Quite an intimidating man, Senator Isakson (R-GA) shook my hand saying, "What's your name? Oh Calypso that's a nice name, do you dance?" I was quite shaken, and greatly honored- not thinking that anyone would want to talk to me or say anything to me at all- but it was exciting. The senator had a dry sense of humor but seemed to be a really good person. Now whenever I see his name in the paper, or on the news, I can tell people, "I had a conversation with him!" The meeting was a success and he agreed to back the resolution, everyone was happy.

4th Meeting
This meeting was with a staff member, not Congresswomen Debbie Shultz herself. Instead of meeting in one of the conference rooms in the office itself, we walked down the hallway to a room off the hallway. I have noticed that it is much easier to get through to the actual members themselves then to their staff members. I guess this is because the members can tell you right away whether they'll take on the issue or not, where as the staff have to talk to their bosses about the issue before they decide. So, we are hoping that Congresswoman Shultz will take a look at the resolution and agree to back it.

Now it was time to lose another member of our group. The size of our eight person group had increasingly diminished in size to five.missing all who had to leave. With one more meeting to go I was sad that this whole thing was about to end. After taking a break around a table in one of the cafeterias- discussing all kinds of subjects- we were ready for our last meeting here in D.C.

5th Meeting
We made our way to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's (D-TX 18th) office, only to discover that she was over in the Capitol and we were going to get another chance to walk those richly decorated halls just to talk with her. The halls of the Capitol were filled with throngs of Tuskegee veterans coming in to be honored in a special ceremony. As we waited, it was so touching to see one veteran greeting another; one man recognized a friend he must have known years ago while training or on a mission, they shook hands and it was so moving seeing their reunion. After many minutes of aching feet and sore legs, the Congresswoman's staff found us some chairs in the Rayburn Room- a room where many important people have met. Still more time, and we decided that we would just have to leave because it was ridiculous having to wait so long. Then, as we were saying good bye and thank you to the staff member the congresswoman came out of the doors and we all went back into the Rayburn Room to talk- what timing! This was another successful meeting and we were lucky enough to get what we needed, and the congresswoman said that she would like to schedule a briefing!! The whole group was really excited. Once again I had a very small, but hugely significant (to me), talk with Congresswoman Lee. She was interested in why I was there, she could sense that I was nervous and as she shook my hand said, "Don't worry, we don't bite." We snuck in a picture with her before she rushed off to another meeting.

Well, now I'm back home telling my whole family all about my incredible experience. There are so many things to say and explain. I am so lucky to lead the life I have; I feel spoilt in comparison with Mike and other youth who went through- and are going through- such incredibly difficult times. In all of the meetings I just wanted to be invisible so people could see the kids who really need their help, and I hope that this resolution will be passed so that people will be able to help those mass of kids who are in great need of a loving arm.
The whole first day was head over heals incredible. I feel so fortunate to have gone back for another day equally as mind-blowing. This has definitely been a lifetime experience and something that won't be forgotten. Thanks to all of the people involved in the process for letting me come in, learn, and report on this whole business- it's been amazing!

So, to continue yesterday's posting ...

Lunch Time
We all rushed over to the main train station and hit the food court, sadly losing one member of the team to obligationsupnorth. We had only a few minutes before needing to get to our next appointment but realizing we would not make that anyway, it was cancelled and we proceeded from the huge and crowded food court to our next meeting of the day.

5th Meeting
The fifth meeting was a huge success. Amazingly enough we were able to meet in perso with Congressman Jim McDermott himself. He is onw of the eldest Congresspeople. Being in the presence of such a strong person was incredible. Mr. McDermott has lots of character. Hetold stories about the many adventures he'd had trying to pass bills to protecct and nurture youth who he believed have been systemically abandoned by society and by government. He spoke of the "Disconnected Youth" and the need to change the current state of affairs. He agreed to take up our resolution and submit it. We now had a Democrat leading the charge!

6th Meeting
The sixth meeting of the day was on schedule - 2:45! Things actually ran like clockwork here in the Capitol. The meetings were becoming more routine as we had all rehearsedour stories and most of my nerves were fading away. For this meeting we were actually standing out in the hallway with Congressman Mike Ferguson's (R - NJ) legislative assistant. Once againthe group was lucky. We convinced Amanda Tharpe our resolution was important and valuable; she convinced her boss! We now had a Republican lead for the resolution and we knew the resolution was on its way.

7th Meeting
We made ou way next to the Russell Senate Office Building to meet with the staff of Senator Patty Murray (D -WA). Travis Lumkin and another aide met with us in the reception area of the office. We had a warm reception and a sense that they too would help with our resolution.

8th Meeting

This meeting was one of my favorites. Congressman John Lewis is an extraordinary person. He was one of ten leaders of the Civil Rights movement and the last remaining of the speakers at the March on Washington with Martin Luther King. Lewis was a fantastic story teller. I can't remember all the amazing quotes he the US Congress! He tolds us about one peaceful protest in which he was badly beaten by police. And he told all of it with a sense of humor, spirit and love for our country. He was the spirit of the undefeated believer and attributed his own survival to Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks.

9th Meeting
This was our last meeting of the day - with Congresswoman Susan Davis (D- CA) - another positive support for the resolution. . I feel like we accomplished so much and that awareness will indeed be raised for the circumstance of homeless youth.

I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to have this opportunity. Just sitting in all of these meetings and listening to how people communicate is incredible. This is a great learning experience for me.; I am learning more and more about the devastating aspects of youth homelessness. The whole point of getting this resolution passed is tobring about a huge movement of awareness building on this issue. I know that I myself am feeling much more aware of this issue and hope that everyone out there will try to help as much as possible.

Wow! I'm here in Washington D.C., and what an amazing experience it is. Beginning at 8:00 this morning we have been to meetings one after another- all equally exciting- until about 6:15 this evening. The whole political scene has really fascinated me. Whether it's been learning how all of the different leaders act, or shaking Congressman John Lewis' hand, I am in total awe of the ins and outs of this system.

At eight o'clock this morning, I headed over- with Ginger- to meet the six other people involved in this critical process. Brendan Devine the lobbyist, Dan Schulman, the CEO and founder of Virgin Mobile and Ariel Rosen- also involved in Virgin Mobile, Rick Coca founder of Stand Up for Kids, Mike Gambrell who was a homeless youth himself, and Rich Hookswayman of the national Alliance to End Homelessness.

Suddenly, I found myself walking the hallways of a congress building about to step into our first meeting. I was definitely nervous, having no idea how any of the process works.

The first meeting went well; all of us sat around a table and we all gave our own stories to Denise Forte, Director of Education Policy for Congressman George Miller (D - CA) Virgin Mobile talked about their great achievements towards helping youth, Stand Up for Kids explained their mission. Mike told his own personal story; it was a shock to me, not knowing a great deal of youth homeless stories. Youth Noise talked about their role and the representative of this specific congressman listened and said she would definitely look into it, but was quite tentative.even more positive news was to come.

2nd Meeting
We cruised into the next meeting with growing confidence. This time we were meeting a Policy Advisor for Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This meeting was in the Capitol Building; photo ID and special name tags. Walking through the hallways alone was fabulous; there were so many people from so many backgrounds. For our second meeting we were lucky enough to meet with Nancy Pelosi's policy advisor. The meeting seemed to go well from my point of view. Everyone was able to convey their message and the issue of homelessness was definitely making its way into the mind of the policy advisor.

3rd Meeting
The third meeting was with a staff member of Senator Mel Martinez of Florida (R). This seemed to go well. The staff member is our kind of work. We did not get a clear picture of just how he would encourage his "boss" to help us out.

4th Meeting
The fourth meeting went extremely well. There was a definite sense of awareness at this huge issue, and we are hoping that Senator Frank Lautenburg from NJ might help get the resolution passed.

More to come in the morning when our computer issues get tamed! We'll have some pphotos then too.

YouthNoise has a mission: to give youth a voice to make a difference in the world. The RE*Generation is about youth helping youth, especially those at risk. Over the past year, The RE*Generation program has shown us how many young people struggle with the issue of homelessness. Through The RE*Generation we have been able to take action with different campaigns: the cell phone charm contest that began and gave life to the movement, and the Ghost Town tale told the story of a homeless youth who could have been the kid next door. The program was able to raise money through ring tones, texting campaigns, the Virgin Festival and sales of specially made art. The Txt2clothe effort to give clothes to homeless youth is still running and has been able to contribute a number of shirts to those in need.

Now The RE*Generation is taking the campaign to a whole new level..

On March 27th and 28th, I will be flying down to Washington DC with a group of people to meet with members of congress. We will be discussing the issues of Teen Homelessness and seeing if we can assign the month of November as National Teen Homeless Month. By doing this, we are hopefully going to acquire national attention for this vital issue. Many people will finally learn about the young adults wandering the streets in need of support, and begin by helping with more funding at both national and local levels.

I am so thrilled about having the opportunity to join in on this mission, and getting to see, personally, what the political system is like from inside. Virgin Mobile has once again made this whole trip possible. They have hired a top notch lobbying group in Washington D.C. to organize the participants and set up meetings with the people who could make this mission come true. We will be meeting with both political parties- seeing as this is an issue that involves both sides of the political scene.

Throughout the two day period, I will be blogging in about our progress. I will enter topics like: who we are meeting with, how we are received and what action we expect to gain from each group. Watch for the postings on YouthNoise. We want the youth everywhere to see
1. How the process works.
2. How important this is to our generation.
3. How Congress reacts to our request and
4. What the next steps will be upon the return of the team.

If you have ideas or thoughts on what you would like to know or have me report on, please let me know here.

Stay tuned- I'll be back on Tuesday, March 27th!