IB World Conference

Kelli and three students traveled to Corvallis, Oregon to attend the IB World Conference. We joined students from around the world in creating service projects that the students will work on together throughout the school year. There were 286 students from 10 countries and it was a magical week. The photos are from the day that we spent on the Oregon coast and at the aquarium in Newport. There are two websites that you must check out--please. These are incredible. Google Peace One Day to see how Jeremy Gilley convinced the United Nations to recognize an international day of peace which is celebrated every year on September 21. Even the Taliban has said that they will not hurt aid workers on this one day. Last year 1.4 million Afghan children were vaccinated against polio on September 21 because the aid workers were able to safely get to them. They hope to vaccinate 1.8 million children this year. Check it out. Every country in the world celebrates this day, and you can pledge to do something however small.
Google Playing for Change to see beautiful videos of people using music to change the world. These videos make me cry, and when we watched one of them at our conference, they students in the auditorium began to clap along to the music. It gives me chills just remembering the scene. This generation of young people is incredible. They want to participate, to make the world a better place, and they will make a difference.