A few months before the trip to Washington, I received a packet of information about what to expect at the Forum, what is expected of me at the Forum, and the activities planned for the delegation. Among the packet were three Pre-Travel assignments to be completed which will be discussed at the leadership meetings.  These assignments helped me understand and learn more about President Eisenhower, the Forum, and think about what it takes to be a leader. Here are those assignments.

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Pre-Travel Assignment #1

     1. What is it that made you want to participate in the forum? What are your personal goals for the program?

     What made me decide to join the People-to-People World Leadership program was the chance to visit new historic places that I have not visited before and meet new people from different parts of the country. This is a good opportunity to see places in a different perspective and also make new friends that could last a lifetime.
I have two personal goals for this program. One, to make at least one new friend. Two, to learn at least one new thing about my country and its leaders. I think that is what People-to-People is all about: meeting and fostering good relations between people and expanding your horizons.

 

     2.  During the forum, what places or activities are you most excited about experiencing?

     During the forum, I will be seeing many exciting new places I have never seen before. If I had to choose just one event, I guess I would be most excited about the Embassy appointment. It is something that I will probably not have a chance to do if I was not part of this delegation.

 

     3.  The word "passion" means to have a powerful feeling or great enthusiasm. When you think of what that word means, consider what you have passion for. What is something you care about enough to get involved in?

     I have a great deal of passion for being involved in my school. At school, I am a member of the student government and one of the editors of the newspaper club. I enjoy reading in church at mass or doing the morning prayers. I like being involved and doing what I can for the school and the community. Through school, we organize various fundraisers for needy children in the community. (We call this program "Kids for Kids.")

 

     4.  You will have a direct impact on making your leadership group a safe and supportive environment for everyone. What are some of the ways that you can help create that atmosphere?

     I can help create a safe and supportive environment by doing my part. I will be organized and take responsibility for my actions, be on time, and participate in group discussions. I will ask questions when I am not sure and don't quite understand. I need to make the most of my experience in Washington DC by making sure I cooperate with my team and my leadership group as a whole.

 

     5.   What do you feel are the three most important things for your fellow group members to know about you?

     The three most important things that my group members should know about me are: a) that I work well with a group. Whether it’s taking command and being the leader, or listening to directions and working with the team, I enjoy working with others. b) I am very imaginative. I like to read about fantasies and fictions and always enjoy writing a good story. I enjoy painting and drawing in my free time. c) I always strive to achieve. Whenever a goal is laid out in front of me, I work my hardest to make sure I accomplish it. I try my best to stay focused and determined on my objective.

 

     6.  What is your previous travel experience?

     A previous travel experience for me would be my annual vacation to Cape May Point. Every year my family and I rent a cottage and spend about a week in Southern Jersey. It is always fun to go back to that cottage because it brings back many fun memories. I have made friends in Cape May who I am always glad to see. Cape May is like a second home to me during the summer and I always love returning there every year.

 

     7.  Write about a travel experience you'll never forget?

     A travel experience I will never forget was my trip to Hawaii. The tranquility and beauty of the island was spectacular and left me awestruck. I had a fun time with my family at the beach and visiting the sights. I had a wonderful time there, and I hope to return soon.

 

     8.  Have you traveled with People to People before? If so, where did you go?

     No, I have not yet traveled with People-to-People before. I hope to make the most out of this experience and learn as much as I can.

Pre-Travel Assignment #2

 1. What do you believe are the essential qualities a leader must possess?

I think three essential qualities a leader must possess are:  a) First, and most important, strength. A leader must stand up for what he or she believes in and help lead the team  towards their goal. b) Second, courage. A leader must be brave and fearless so he or she can face the challenges ahead without wavering. c) Third, a leader must be open to ideas. He or she must be able to listen to the concerns of the group and be open to suggestions.

2.  Some people who possess strong leadership qualities are ineffective leaders. What do you think makes a leader effective?

To be an effective leader, one must know his or her skills and limitations. A true leader puts his or her skills to good use. And then, he or she should be able to recognize and affirm the talents of the other team members for the benefit of all.

 

3.  Describe a time or experience when you have taken a leadership role. Do you feel as though you were an effective leader? Why or why not?

I am currently the Secretary or Correspondence in our school student government. I believe I am effective in holding this position because I always get positive feedback from the other students and teachers as well, on my work. I always give 100% effort into the jobs required on behalf of my school.

 

4. What do you think are your strengths as a leader?

A strength I have as a leader is my determination. Once I have a set goal, I am resolute in achieving it. I try my best to accomplish my goals to the best of my abilities.

 

5. What are some leadership qualities that you would like to work on?

A leadership quality I think I need to work on is "seeing the bigger picture." What I mean is that sometimes, I get my mind centered on one thing, and I lose track and attention of everything else. I think I need to work on spreading out my time and attention more evenly when necessary.

 

6. Identify a figure from America's past who you feel was a strong leader. Choose a time when their leadership abilities were tested and describe how you think they performed as a leader.

A figure from America’s past who I think was a strong leader was George Washington. George Washington was a strong and effective leader at a time when our country needed one urgently. As the first president and brave general of the Continental Army, he held the country together. One instance that proves this, was the winter at Valley Forge. There, Washington had to keep his crumbling army's morale up. With little supplies, much of the army was starting to fall apart. But with much determination, Washington managed to win their hearts over, and then go on to win the Revolutionary War.

 

7. Write about three present day people who have leadership qualities who you aspire to have and describe why.

Three present day people who have leadership qualities I aspire to have are George W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice, and Colin Powell. It took great courage for George W. Bush to head the War Against Iraq. I hope to have the same courage and not fear any adversary.  Condoleezza Rice's rise to the position of National Security Adviser is inspiring.  I hope to have the same thirst for knowledge as she has so I can always be prepared and "one step ahead of the game".  Colin Powell always has great determination to gain peace and resolve issues with other countries. I hope to be just as unwavering as him so I will never give up on my goals.

 

8. What would you like to learn about leadership during the Forum?

The thing I would like to learn most about leadership during this Forum is how good leaders cope under pressure, and how a leader balances issues to make both sides happy. Sometimes I find it difficult  to satisfy everyone’s needs under pressure. It would be very helpful for me to learn and find out how leaders settle on difficult decisions.

 Pre-Travel Assignment #3

1. What period or event in Eisenhower's life have you chosen?

The period in Eisenhower’s life that I have chosen  is the day Eisenhower gave the official order that launched D-Day.

 

2. Why do you feel it is important for you to know about this topic?

I feel it is important that I learn about this event because it was an event that initiated the chain of events that would eventually lead to the fall of Hitler and the Nazi regime.

 

3. As it relates to your topic, do you feel that Eisenhower displayed effective leadership skills during this time or event? Please explain why or why not.

I think Eisenhower displayed effective leadership skills during the D-Day launch. He had a good and effective plan and he used all available information to his advantage. His critical decision on going ahead with the launch based on information provided by his team proved to be the success of D-Day. He believed in himself and he believed in the people of his team. Because of effective leadership skills, Eisenhower broke through Hitler's Atlantic Wall, which allowed the United States and its Allies, a foothold in France. This is considered by many as the beginning of the end for Hitler and his Nazi regime.

 

4. Do you feel that Eisenhower's actions during this time or event still impact us today?

I think that Eisenhower’s actions still impact us today. If Eisenhower's leadership did not lead to the defeat of Hitler and the Nazis, who knows what Europe would be like today, or, the rest of the free world?

 

5. If you could ask Eisenhower one question about your topic, what would it be?

If I could ask Eisenhower one question about this topic, it would be:

    “What was going through your mind when you launched that fateful attack on D-Day?”

 

6. How do you think he would answer your question?

I think Eisenhower would answer my question like this:

“It was the toughest decision of my life knowing that I would be sending so many men with families back home into the battlefield. I know that many of them would not return. But a true leader makes these most difficult decisions and stand by it for the good of all."

 

7. What is something else that you would like to learn about Eisenhower?

Something else I would like to learn about Eisenhower is how he made the wise choices he made. During his presidency, President Eisenhower made many decisions that affected the nation, and the world, as a whole. I would like to learn where Eisenhower’s motivation and determination came from and how he coped with the consequences of decisions that did not work out.