2006 | Academy of Achievement (original) (raw)

The Academy of Achievement brought a wide array of world leaders and 300 graduate students from 40 countries to Los Angeles, California for the 45th annual International Achievement Summit, June 1-4, 2006.

The Academy of Achievement brought 300 outstanding graduate students from 40 countries to Los Angeles, California for the 45th annual International Achievement Summit. From the 1st to the 4th of June 2006, an incomparable array of the world’s leaders in the arts, business, industry, public service and the sciences shared their experience and insight with the Academy’s student delegates — the leaders of today exchanging ideas with the leaders of tomorrow.

Summit Hosts and Academy members Steven Spielberg and George Lucas welcome the guests to Los Angeles.

This year’s Summit was hosted by legendary filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The Chairman of the Summit was Catherine B. Reynolds, Chairman and CEO of The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation. The Summit was made possible by a generous grant from The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation.

Members of the Golden Plate Awards Council: President Bill Clinton with Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia.

Fifty past recipients of the Academy’s Golden Plate Award and 30 new honorees attended the Summit. International statesmen among the Academy members in attendance included: the 42nd President of the United States, William J. Clinton; Crown Prince Salman of Bahrain; President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia; President Festus Mogae of Botswana; and the Honorable Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel. They were joined by two former Commanders of NATO, General Wesley Clark and General Joseph Ralston, and two recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency.

Summit Host George Lucas congratulates Wendy Kopp, founder and President of Teach for America, on receiving the Gold Medal of the Academy of Achievement during the 2006 International Achievement Summit in Los Angeles.

Academy members from all three branches of the United States government included Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, Director of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte and three members of President George W. Bush’s cabinet: Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Members of Congress attending the Summit included Edward Markey, Jane Harman and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. Other distinguished public servants included: the former leader of the Senate Democrats, the Honorable Tom Daschle; the Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley; and the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa.

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy with his wife Mary, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with his wife Corina.

In addition to Mr. Lucas and Mr. Spielberg, distinguished representatives of the motion picture industry included directors Peter Jackson and Chris Columbus, as well as screen stars Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Williams, Sally Field, Olivia de Havilland and Dame Julie Andrews. Old and new members of the Academy from the world of music included Quincy Jones, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sheryl Crow, Trisha Yearwood, Sonny Rollins and John Williams. Among the literary contingent were authors Gore Vidal, Joan Didion, Carlos Fuentes and Arthur Golden, and Pulitzer Prize winners A. Scott Berg and N. Scott Momaday. Nobel Prize-winning scientists appearing at the Summit included Dr. Michael Brown, Dr. Robert H. Grubbs, Dr. John Hall and Dr. A. Michael Spence. Sports legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dorothy Hamill and Sir Roger Bannister returned to the Summit to present the Academy’s honors to new inductees. Business leaders at the Summit included Telmex Chairman Carlos Slim Helú, Research in Motion Chairman James Balsillie, Home Depot founder Bernard Marcus, The Carlyle Group founder David Rubenstein and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.

Hollywood legends Olivia de Havilland and Dame Julie Andrews with L.A. Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Academy members, honorees and student delegates stayed at the glamorous Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel at one of America’s most famous intersections, Wilshire Blvd. and Rodeo Drive, in the heart of the City of Beverly Hills. The excitement began on the first evening, as Academy members and student delegates were thrilled to be welcomed by the two most successful filmmakers of all time, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The first award of the Summit was presented to Wendy Kopp, founder and President of Teach for America. Academy member A. Scott Berg, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, recounted the early history of Hollywood, and how the immigrant founders of the motion picture industry fulfilled their own American Dreams and became the leading purveyors of that dream to all the world.

The first morning session of the 2006 Summit focused on the frontiers of medicine and scientific research. Pioneering neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin S. Carson recounted this own odyssey from the ghetto to the operating room. Dr. Hans Keirstead made a compelling multimedia presentation of his revolutionary work employing human stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis. Dr. Michael Brown, a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, discussed his pioneering work in the study of cholesterol and its role in cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death and disability in the Western World.

Awards Council member Dr. Sally K. Ride, the first American woman in space, talks to the Academy assemblage.

Dr. Miguel Nicolelis of Duke University presented his historic research at the cusp of neuroscience and robotics, including a revolutionary breakthrough in the development of neuroprosthetic devices to assist the disabled and paralyzed. Dr. Spencer Wells, director of the Genographic Project, discussed this unprecedented international undertaking, employing molecular genetics to retrace the migration paths of mankind from its very beginnings. He even shared his findings tracing the ancestors of Summit Chairman Catherine B. Reynolds and Academy member Dr. Benjamin S. Carson.

Awards Council member Sally Field, recipient of two Oscars for Best Actress, meets Academy student delegates.

The first panel discussion of the Summit explored the connections and conflict between Science and Faith. Television journalist Kathleen Matthews moderated the discussion. Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Human Genome project, and Dr. Benjamin S. Carson presented their views as scientists whose work is informed and inspired by their religious faith. Evolutionary biologist Dr. Richard Dawkins and philosopher Dr. Daniel Dennett argued that religious belief is not supported by evidence or scientific method. Their extremely animated discussion of their core beliefs can be heard in the Audio Recordings area of the Academy website.

Telecommunications magnates Carlos Slim and Emilio Azcárraga, with his wife Sharon, and President Bill Clinton.

Another distinguished scientist who spoke during the Summit was Dr. Robert H. Grubbs, recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, who discussed his breakthrough in chemical metathesis, the discovery of the so-called “Grubbs catalyst,” which promises the production of new medicines and new materials for industry, while reducing the hazards of chemical waste.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi receiving the Academy’s Golden Plate Award presented by Awards Council member, the Honorable Tom Daschle, at the 2006 International Achievement Summit in Los Angeles, California.

The first morning’s session ended with a presentation by the 42nd President of the United States, William J. Clinton. He spoke to the need for the nations of the world to pursue a course of international “integration” rather than “interdependence” in the coming century. Immediately following his address, the President sat down for a long question-and-answer session with Academy students, typifying the level of candid discourse that prevailed throughout the International Achievement Summit.

President Bill Clinton addresses his fellow Academy members and student delegates at the 2006 Summit.

The exchange of ideas continued during the lunch break, as stem cell pioneer Dr. James D. Thomson met with the Academy’s medical students and biologists for a further exploration of many of the scientific and ethical questions raised in the morning’s session. Much of the afternoon session focused on the efforts of private individuals and public institutions to solve the world’s most intractable problems. Inventor Dean Kamen recounted his efforts to provide low-cost water purification systems to developing societies. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader spoke at length on the need for reform of the American political system to prevent the abuse of power by special interests. Undersea explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle discussed the damage mankind has seen done to our natural environment, while Congressman Ed Markey discussed his own battle to protect the environment through the political process.

In a change of pace, Julie Taymor, the award-winning Broadway director of The Lion King discussed her work in theater, film and opera. Although her world premiere production of the opera Grendel was in its final week of rehearsal at the Los Angeles Opera during the Summit, Miss Taymor graciously took time away from the monumental project to share the story of her own creative development with the Academy’s student delegates.

Awards Council member Arthur Golden, the author of Memoirs of a Geisha, presenting the Golden Plate Award to Julie Taymor, the award-winning Broadway director of The Lion King, at the International Achievement Summit.

Mexico’s greatest living novelist, Carlos Fuentes, addressed the political role of the author in Latin America and the rest of the world. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley sat down for a discussion of “Public-Private Partnerships” with JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon. Their stimulating discussion of the fruitful collaboration of the public and private sectors was moderated by an old friend of the Academy, MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews.

Best-selling novelist and diplomat Carlos Fuentes, a 2006 Academy guest of honor, addresses the delegates.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy spoke on the evolving concept of international justice and then joined Chris Matthews and film directors George Lucas, Peter Jackson and Chris Columbus for a discussion of “The Meaning of Movies.” Justice Kennedy, an impressively learned and perceptive student of American and world cinema, made a forceful point concerning the power of the motion picture to address serious moral questions, apart from mere entertainment. However, he recused himself from discussion of issues raised by several recent films, as they concern matters that may soon come before the Supreme Court itself.

“Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson and his wife, screenwriter Fran Walsh, with 2006 Host Steven Spielberg.

That evening, the assembled Academy members and student delegates traveled to the legendary motion picture studio 20th Century Fox. There, on a massive sound stage where some of the most enduring film classics were created, they enjoyed an unforgettable evening of music and memories with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a dazzling array of talent from the worlds of music and motion pictures. George Lucas spoke of his early struggles as a filmmaker, and of the meaning of a purposeful, creative life, transcending the well-publicized blessings of wealth and superficial celebrity. The beloved star of The Sound of Music, Dame Julie Andrews, shared her memories of shooting that timeless classic right there at 20th Century Fox Studios.

Academy member Trisha Yearwood performs with legendary conductor and composer John Williams at dinner.

The Oscar-winning composer John Williams led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a spine-tingling suite of his original music for the films of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Breathtaking images from Jaws, Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark and ET played across an immense motion picture screen as the audience thrilled to the sounds of Williams’s stirring music brought to life with the full power of a live symphony orchestra. Steven Spielberg then took the stage and held the audience rapt with a surprisingly revealing account of the origins of his lifelong love affair with the moving picture.

Saxophone colossus and 2006 Academy guest of honor Sonny Rollins performs at the 20th Century Fox Studio.

One of America’s favorite singers, Academy member Trisha Yearwood, sang “How Do I Live,” from the film ConAir, accompanied by John Williams and the L.A. Philharmonic. The Philharmonic also accompanied two spectacularly talented student delegates of the Academy, Sergei Semishkur and Larissa Yudina, young opera singers from the conservatory of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, who sang a stirring duet from Rigoletto.

Legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins performed an awe-inspiring solo improvisation on American themes. Mr. Rollins was then inducted into the Academy by Basketball Hall of Fame great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who spoke of the inspiration he had derived as a young athlete from hearing Sonny Rollins perform. After the awards ceremony, Sonny Rollins was joined onstage by the phenomenal young tap dance master Savion Glover for a spectacular joint improvisation. Rollins and Glover demonstrated an almost telepathic degree of musical communication, astonishing the audience with their inexhaustible rhythmic invention.

“Star Wars” creator George Lucas inducts Samuel L. Jackson, the world’s top-grossing film star, into the Academy.

One of the living legends of Hollywood, two-time Oscar winner Olivia de Havilland, graciously accepted a heartfelt ovation from the entire assembly for her lifetime of artistic accomplishment and personal integrity. A favorite of contemporary audiences, the world’s top-grossing film star, Samuel L. Jackson, accepted the second award of the evening.

Awards Council member Dame Julie Andrews inducts Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, internationally acclaimed soprano.

A legendary star of the world of opera, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, thrilled the crowd with her soaring renditions of Ave Maria, O mio babbino caro, and “Climb Every Mountain.” In an inspiring conclusion to an evening of matchless musical artistry, Te Kanawa was inducted into the Academy by her fellow Dame Commander of the British Empire, Julie Andrews.

The Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, receives the Academy’s Golden Plate Award, presented by Awards Council member Robin Williams, during the 2006 International Achievement Summit in Los Angeles.

The entire assembly then took their seats for an elegant dinner, served in the vast sound stage, transformed for the night into an elegant banquet hall through the magic of Hollywood. Inspiring images of Academy honorees from the last 45 years played on the giant screen while student delegates and Academy members enjoyed a sumptuous meal and shared their thoughts and impressions of an incredibly full day.

Awards Council member Eli Broad, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, presents the Golden Plate Award to David M. Rubenstein, Co-founder and Managing Director of The Carlyle Group, at the International Achievement Summit.

The following morning’s session, back at the Beverly Wilshire, brought even more intense concentration on world affairs. Chris Matthews led a discussion of the challenges of improving the quality of life for the people of the Third World. Participants included: the President of Botswana, His Excellency Festus Mogae; UNICEF Director Ann Veneman; inventor Dean Kamen; and former Assistant Surgeon General Dr. Susan Blumenthal. Students asked deeply probing questions of the panelists, and all present were impressed by the warmth and eloquence of President Mogae, whose country is an island of stability and relative prosperity in Sub-Saharan Africa.

John D. Negroponte, the Director of National Intelligence, receives the Academy’s Golden Plate Award presented by Council member President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia during the 2006 Achievement Summit in Los Angeles.

The morning’s audience was also charmed by the youthful Crown Prince of Bahrain, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, who surprised many in the audience with his candor in discussing the challenges and opportunities facing his country, a progressive oasis in the troubled Middle East.

Legendary novelist and social critic Gore Vidal seated onstage at the 2006 International Achievement Summit.

David Rubenstein, founder and Managing Director of The Carlyle Group, gave a surprisingly humorous account of the many setbacks he encountered on his career path, from serving as a 27-year-old advisor to President Jimmy Carter to creating the world’s leading private equity firm, a power in politics and international finance. In one of the most compelling individual presentations of the Summit, the legendary author and social critic Gore Vidal took the stage. Now in his 80s, the great novelist, essayist and sometime political candidate held the audience spellbound with a witty but lacerating assessment of the state of American culture and democracy. For once, the Academy student delegates were too awe-struck to ask questions of a speaker, but they gave him a powerful ovation, and many of his admirers among the student delegates and Academy honorees clustered around him after he left the stage. The focus on public affairs continued as former NATO Commander and presidential candidate General Wesley Clark joined President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia to explore the future of the Euro-American alliance. Their discussion was moderated by the Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, former White House advisor David Gergen. Google founder Larry Page, who first attended the International Achievement Summit as a student delegate in 2000, returned once again as a member of the Academy to discuss the challenges of building a massive company and threading the labyrinth of ethical questions that arise in conducting business in the international economy.

Presidential advisor David Gergen moderates a lively discussion of “Public-Private Partnerships” with Mayor Richard Daley and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.

Before the company broke for lunch, America’s pioneer of integrative medicine, Dr. Andrew Weil, gave the audience a welcome lesson in relaxation. Dr. Weil demonstrated a simple but effective technique of conscious breathing that produced highly beneficial results. The entire party then strolled a few short blocks through the sunny streets of Beverly Hills to a casual luncheon at the world-famous restaurant Spago, founded by Academy member Wolfgang Puck. After lunch, the Academy members traveled to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) for another impressive afternoon of symposium speakers and panel discussions.

Award-winning novelist Joan Didion spoke movingly of her odyssey from the heights of success as a novelist and screenwriter to the depths of tragedy and personal loss so vividly expressed in her latest book, The Year of Magical Thinking. America’s first woman in space, Dr. Sally Ride, recalled her historic achievement in space travel and her present campaign to encourage young women and girls to pursue the study of math and science.

Golden Plate Awards Council member President Festus G. Mogae of Botswana greets President William J. Clinton.

The same afternoon, the Academy was privileged to hear a unique discussion of “Global Cooperation in the Fight Against Terrorism.” The speakers included: Director of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte; former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak; Congresswoman Jane Harman, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee; General Joseph Ralston, former NATO Commander; and the recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize for Peace, Director General of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei. The discussion was moderated by David Gergen.

Congresswoman Jane Harman and Mohamed ElBaradei, recipient of Nobel Peace Prize and Academy honoree.

The Academy’s international student delegates afforded themselves of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to press the panelists with some of the most difficult questions surrounding these fateful issues. Only in the atmosphere of the International Achievement Summit could public figures participate in so free a discussion of vital questions, without fear that their remarks would be exploited by the news media.

“Fly! Fly!” Archbishop Desmond Tutu exhorts the Academy delegates during an inspiring symposium presentation.

The vibrant young speaker of the California State Assembly, Fabian Núñez, spoke of the challenges facing America’s most populous state, the fifth-largest economy in the world. Speaker Núñez then joined Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Michael Deaver, a former advisor to President Ronald Reagan, for a discussion of leadership and politics, led by David Gergen. Over the course of the Summit, the Academy also heard from Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson and from the dynamic Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon receives the Golden Plate Award from the Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley.

The afternoon session closed with an inspiring address by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This spiritual leader of the movement for human equality in his own South Africa, took as his text the African fable of the eagle raised among chickens, who must discover his power of flight. “Fly! Fly!” he exhorted the students, urging them to make full use of their own undiscovered powers.

Home Depot co-founder Bernard Marcus receives the Golden Plate from former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

After the afternoon session, the students were treated to a private tour of the most talked-about art exhibit of the year. Five works by the great Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, stolen by the Nazis during World War II, had at last been returned by the Austrian government to their rightful owner. Maria Altmann, the sole survivor of the cultured Viennese family that had commissioned these works at the beginning of the 20th century, now resides in Los Angeles; she graciously lent the paintings to LACMA for this special exhibit. Among the paintings were two portraits of Mrs. Altmann’s aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer, among the most famous works of Viennese Art Nouveau. Only a week after the Summit, it was reported that the Neue Galerie in New York City had purchased one of the portraits for a reported $135 million, the highest sum ever paid for a work of art.

Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu and music impresario Quincy Jones before the 2006 Banquet of the Golden Plate.

The International Achievement Summit culminated on Saturday night with the spectacular Banquet of the Golden Plate, held in the Grand Ballroom of the Regent Beverly Wilshire, magnificently decorated for the occasion. In a moving ceremony, the Class of 2006 was inducted into the Academy of Achievement by distinguished past honorees of the Academy. The Hosts of the Summit, Catherine B. Reynolds, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, welcomed Academy members, student delegates and many distinguished guests to the evening, and accepted a proclamation of recognition from the City of Beverly Hills.

Robin Williams performs a spontaneous “Academy rap” with Sheryl Crow at the 2006 Banquet of the Golden Plate.

Following a superb dinner, a delighted audience greeted award-winning singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow to the stage. Accompanied by her longtime collaborators, she performed a powerful acoustic set of her most famous songs, “If It Makes You Happy,” “A Change Would Do You Good,” “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” “All I Wanna Do,” “Soak up the Sun,” and “Every Day is a Winding Road.” From the first few notes, the audience members rose to their feet, led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Banquet became an uninhibited dance party. During Miss Crow’s last number, Academy member Robin Williams jumped onto the stage and improvised a spontaneous rap, hilariously recapping the Academy activities of the previous days, while Sheryl Crow and the band kept the crowd dancing. Student delegates rushed the stage, and even usually reserved friends of the Academy such as David Gergen were seen swaying arm in arm behind the band. On this celebratory note, the evening’s program concluded. The following day, the Academy’s out-of-town guests and student delegates returned to their homes and schools, still warmed and inspired by memories of their visit to Los Angeles and the International Achievement Summit.

American Academy of Achievement Board Chairman Wayne Reynolds and Summit Host Chairman Catherine B. Reynolds enjoy Sheryl Crow’s performance with enthusiastic student delegates at the 2006 Banquet ceremonies.

Inductees and Honorees

James L. Balsillie

Developer of the BlackBerry

William T. Coleman, Jr.

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Chris Columbus

Film Producer and Director

Richard Dawkins, Ph.D.

Evolutionary Biologist

Daniel C. Dennett, Ph.D.

Philosophy of Science

Novelist and Essayist

Jamie Dimon

CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Nobel Prize for Peace

Author, Scholar and Diplomat

Robert H. Grubbs, Ph.D.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry

John L. Hall, Ph.D.

Nobel Prize in Physics

H.R.H. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa

Crown Prince of Bahrain

Oscar for Best Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Oscar for Lifetime Achievement

Founder, Teach for America

Bernard L. Marcus

Co-founder, Home Depot

John D. Negroponte

Director of National Intelligence

Nancy Pelosi

Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives

Saxophone Colossus

David M. Rubenstein

Co-founder of The Carlyle Group

Henry Samueli, Ph.D.

Co-founder and Chairman of Broadcom

Margaret Spellings

U.S. Secretary of Education

A. Michael Spence, Ph.D.

Nobel Prize in Economics

Beloved Opera Singer

National Book Award

Civic Leadership

William Wrigley, Jr.

Industrialist and Philanthropist

The heartfelt enthusiasm and genuine, unaffected gratitude of the student delegates are among the most rewarding aspects of the International Achievement Summit. We invite you to share in their close encounters with Academy members and fellow delegates, as described in their own words.

Yaron Nili

Faculty of Law, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

One practical conclusion that I came to during the time spent at hospital, and which derived mainly from my experience at the Summit, was my decision to try and pursue an advanced law degree in the United States. As you of course know, the Summit brought together outstanding graduate students from around the world to interact with, and learn from, world leaders and each other. We discussed problems facing each of our countries and the industries with which we were involved, enabling me to share my academic interests, and my beliefs regarding the Israeli legal system, with peers from a variety of backgrounds and with diverse career goals. The event enriched me with feedback and perspective from students pursuing careers in such seemingly unrelated fields as film, engineering, and the military. The experience reinforced my belief in the fluidity of the lines between various professional and academic fields. It helped me understand the value of international educational experience, and of intellectual interaction with similarly ambitious, yet differently developed, minds.

As such, I grew determined to apply to schools in the States and to try and complete an LL.M. and J.S.D. in law as the next steps in my career. Today I am in the midst of the application process. Going through the process spawned in me an almost imminent need to write and thank you not only for an amazing Summit but also for a life-changing experience that served as a candle in the dark times and which is the lighthouse of my new path.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely yours,

Yaron Nili

Bernadette Höefer

Society of Fellows, Harvard University

I was also deeply moved by the various aspects of the Summit, starting with the luxury of the hotel, the breathtaking decorations on the tables, the quality of the performances and the variety of artists whom we were able to meet and talk to on a personal level. Personally, for me, the highlight of the performances will remain Sheryl Crow’s stage appearance on the last evening and the incredible atmosphere of enthusiasm and passion that surrounded her. I was able to be on stage with her and a few other delegates for a few minutes and to personally interact with Robin Williams for a brief moment — a truly magnificent moment.

The inspiration from this experience at the Summit will remain in my life, encouraging me to become a devoted, appreciative but also inspirational person to others while keeping the humility I admired in these public speakers. In summary, because of your generosity and vision, I, along with my fellow student delegates, were able to learn how important it can be to make a difference in other people’s lives. I thank you and the Academy for your commitment to education and for giving me the opportunity to attend the 2006 Summit.

Sincerely,

Bernadette Höfer

Matthew W. McCarthy

Howard Hughes Fellow, Harvard Medical School

Dear Mrs. Reynolds,

A simple thank you seems altogether inadequate for the astounding experience you have provided at the 2006 International Achievement Summit. Friends and family continue to ask me a most difficult question: “What was the best moment of the conference?”

I’ll recount two for you:
As I sat in the second row listening to Gore Vidal discuss American politics with his unique wit and wisdom, the man seated next to me tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Did he just refer to Americans being encased in fat?” I replied, “Yes, he did.” The man immediately burst into a fit of laughter. It was former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

The other moment occurred on the final evening of the conference. A few student delegates were discussing the politics of the Middle East with the Crown Prince of Bahrain. Around 1:30 a.m., a waitress informed us that the bar would be closing soon. The Crown Prince turned to us and said, “I’m really enjoying this. Would you all like to come to my hotel suite to continue this conversation?” We stayed up all night discussing Bahrain and its role in the international community. It was an experience I will never forget.

The Achievement Summit could not have come at a better time for me personally as I will be deciding which field of medicine to pursue in the coming six months. Listening to countless world leaders discuss the need for future physicians to become involved in world health, poverty and the field of infectious disease has compelled me to follow this career path. I must thank you for allowing me to take part in such a special experience. I can assure you that the reach of the Summit will last long after we have returned to our home institutions.

Sincerely,

Matthew W. McCarthy

Mya Wilkins

Margery Kraus Scholar and Siebel Scholar, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Dear Mrs. Reynolds,

I would like to express my sincere thanks to you for giving me the opportunity to attend the International Achievement Summit. It was an experience that I will never forget. I will always be grateful to you and your team for providing me with the opportunity of a lifetime.

Over the past week I have often thought of memories from the Summit.

The experiences were dreamlike: from chatting with Ralph Nader and Sally Field as if we were longtime friends, to dining at the remarkable 20th Century Fox Studios, to hearing from my longtime personal heroes Dr. Ben Carson and President Bill Clinton.

I am sure that I will have visions of Desmond Tutu moving to the music of Sheryl Crow and Savion Glover tap dancing to the rugged rhythms of Sonny Rollins for years to come. Every event that took place during the Summit was incredible as was having the opportunity to get to know the highest achieving scholars from across the world. I am sure that I made friendships that I will keep forever.

It was wonderful to have the most influential individuals from so many different fields share their work and advice. Whether they were discussing issues that I will spend my lifetime pursuing or things that I never closely considered, hearing about them was invaluable. I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to hear panels and speakers provide information that is so important to our world and our future such as national security, improving third world countries, and how partnerships between businesses and government can contribute to society. It was eye opening to learn about the latest stem cell research from Dr. Hans Keirstead and to listen to great minds of our generation openly debate religion. I was touched by many of the speakers at the Summit, but none more so than Desmond Tutu, who described the incredible capacity for good that humanity possesses. His words and positive disposition were truly inspiring.

The Achievement Summit was an incredible experience. Not only was I deeply moved by the events that occurred, but it also motivated me to continue to pursue excellence and make my own mark on the world. I will always carry with me the advice of many of the speakers who urged us not to be limited by fear of failure and to find and pursue our passions. I will forever be grateful to you for making the Summit possible.

Sincerely,

Mya Wilkins

Vanessa Kolbe

University of Virginia School of Law

Again, thank you so much for your sponsorship of such an unbelievable event and for bestowing upon me the opportunity to attend. I assure you that I will strive to live out the messages we received throughout the weekend: to follow my passion, to not be afraid to fail, and to serve the public no matter my occupation.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Kolbe

Adam Grogg

Marshall Scholar, Lincoln College, Oxford University

Both Bill Clinton and David Gergen spoke of the cartooned versions of public figures to which people are normally exposed; at the Summit, we were invited to correct and deepen our impressions of today’s leaders, and contemplate the ways in which their experiences are not so dissimilar from our own in navigating difficult situations and confronting significant problems. And what problems there are — speaker after speaker made us intensely aware of the potentially crippling difficulties that our generation will face. Nonetheless, although it was made quite clear that no one had easy or universal answers, over the course of the weekend I often thought that the assembled individuals and amassed resources could have a significant impact on the world if we coordinated our efforts.

When friends and family have asked what I took away from the Summit, I have replied that the overarching theme can be broken down into three parts: first, we have no choice but to dedicate ourselves to serving the public good, although we do have options regarding what means we choose toward that end; second, we often overestimate our power to choose and more generally to affect outcomes by ignoring forces of serendipity and luck; and finally, in order to achieve we must first fail.

I left Los Angeles more purposefully committed to learning how I can best help the world, but also more comfortable in lacking a perfect strategy to do so.

Having revealed to me the humanity and humility of contemporary all-stars in many different fields, the 2006 Academy of Achievement Summit both inspired me to greatness and energized me for the process of getting there. Thanks again for offering me the opportunity to attend.

Sincerely,

Adam Grogg

Dr. Claire Grills

Specialty Training Program, Royal Australasian College of Physicians

It would be remiss of me not to mention the wonder of the concert by the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra at the Fox Studios where I was in awe of such talent and respected people. Tickets for such a concert could not be bought at any price. It was brilliant to hear the excellent Sheryl Crow and see Archbishop Desmond Tutu lead the dancing with Robin Williams performing a supporting role. At the Banquet of the Golden Plate it was wonderful to hear of all these new inductees and their amazing achievements as they were accepted into what is truly a unique academy. I thank you once again for allowing me to have a glimpse of this Academy of Achievement. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will be invaluable in helping me to realize my vision of improving the health of those desperately in need of access to basic health; in particular, those dealing with HIV-AIDS and in the area of dermatology.

Sincerely,

Dr. Claire Grills

Lauren Gray Gilstrap

Truman Scholar, University of Texas at Austin

In addition, I want to mention how wonderful it was to spend the weekend with so many wonderful fellow students. Literally from across the globe, last weekend brought us together and provided a wonderful opportunity to learn about the lives of our peers. The conversations we had and the ideas we discussed were intellectually stimulating and very eye-opening.

Again, I want to thank you so very much for including me in this conference. It was such an honor to be selected and the weekend was truly unforgettable. In retrospect, the only word to describe such an experience is “surreal.” It is truly one of those things you have to experience to believe. I wish you and your family a wonderful summer. Thank you again for “truly the weekend of a lifetime!”

Yours very truly,

Lauren Gray Gilstrap

Daniel Tu

Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University School of Medicine

Sarah Caldwell

Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Fellow, Harvard University Graduate School of Education

All of these people espouse innovative yet distinct approaches to tackle the same problems: the inequities and inadequacies of urban schools. As we visited other organizations, I saw the same phenomenon: extremely different people with unique skills tackling problems in a variety of important and complementary ways. If I learned anything from this field trip, it is that there are many ways to approach a problem, and that in my work as a social entrepreneur I must consider carefully both my own set of skills and target the level at which I want to create social value if I aim to be truly effective.

At the Summit, the most important debates of the current day were played out by important actors, from Richard Dawkins and Ben Carson on the relationship between science and faith to John Negroponte and Mohamed ElBaradei on national security. In listening to these conversations, I realized that it is our society’s ability to value this diversity of ideas that has allowed us to move forward in the past. On both a national and international level, this type of respectful dialogue that allows for multiple and changing perspectives will lead us toward a future that is more humane and just for all of the citizens of our world. I think that this understanding was at the crux of many speeches, particularly the one given by Bill Clinton in which he stressed the need to believe that our common humanity matters more than our differences. As I listened to each panel and speaker, I was often overwhelmed with a sense of gratefulness for being included in these discussions. It is an awesome privilege to hear some of the greatest minds of our time in an unscripted setting, and I know that many of the conversations that occurred at the Summit will never be repeated.

I will forever carry with me many unforgettable moments from the week that I spent in Los Angeles. Some of them will relate to the 20 other Catherine B. Reynolds Fellows, who have become not only colleagues but dear friends. This week provided a remarkable seal to our experience together. Other memories will relate to the legendary performers that I saw onstage and in person, from Julie Andrews — who I sang with so many times in childhood — to John Williams, who was the inspiration for my musical interests. I will certainly treasure the memories of my heroes who have made social changes through their passionate visions and relentless determination, in particular Desmond Tutu. As I return to teaching next month, I will ask new questions. What knowledge and habits of thought will our children need to navigate the many challenges of the 21st century? How will we teachers equip them with these capabilities? I believe these questions that the Summit has engendered will inspire my work in the future.

The deepest thanks for the many incomparable experiences I have been able to access through your generosity. To participate in this Summit, and indeed this year as a Catherine B. Reynolds Fellow, has been both the greatest of honors and gifts.

Sarah Caldwell

Rachael A. Wagner

Rhodes Scholar, Balliol College, Oxford University

Most importantly, I have left the Summit with a strong itch to get out of school and start doing already. While I doubt your intention was to persuade us all to drop out of our graduate programs and start trying to solve some of the world’s ills, you very well may have had that effect! Since my course ends in a few months, I do not plan on dropping out, but I am very eager to start actualizing some of this “potential” I’ve been building up over all these years of schooling. Thanks to your generosity, I now feel emboldened and ready for the challenge of putting my education to work.

Sincerely,

Rachael A. Wagner

Colleen Gross

Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Fellow, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

I also loved the cross-pollination of the fields represented. During the film panel, I initially found it amusing that Justice Kennedy was included amongst the blockbuster Hollywood directors and producers. I wondered what expertise or additional insight he was likely to bring to a Hollywood discussion. And then he twice refrained from adding commentary to a conversation because the topic may very soon be landing on his desk to be reviewed by the Supreme Court! It was a beautiful illustration of how intimately interrelated all sectors and disciplines are.

But the highlight of the weekend was most certainly the opportunity to talk with honorees in a more casual setting — during a meal, at the late-night receptions, in the elevator, on the bus. I found myself conversing about family with George Lucas, discussing favorite foods with Marvin Minsky (in between debates about religion!), chatting 2008 presidential politics with Chris Matthews, and asking Jack Horner about the details of his latest archaeological dig and the scientific relevance of the discovery of dinosaur blood cells. I questioned Larry Page about Google’s decision to accept China’s censorship policies and talked with David Rubenstein about my ideas for creating small-scale personal investment opportunities in Latin America. And I danced to Sheryl Crow’s lively, energetic sounds alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Naomi Judd, and the President of Latvia.

Where else could one possibly find such an eclectic and accomplished group of people, all under one roof, attending the same event, and accessible to students and to each other? Certainly, nothing similar exists. The daily interactions and these personal discussions made me see the very human side of each of the honorees and guests. While our celebrity-crazed culture likes to deify celebrities and make them seem untouchable, you proved that they are, in fact, both reachable and human. And in demonstrating this, you quietly tapped on my soul to help me realize that I, too, am capable of achieving such great change in this world. A weekend that originally felt out of this world became the epitome of what this world is about.

Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds, for believing in me, for investing in me, and for providing such inspiration and support to so many people. I will never forget this event nor the renewed determination it has instilled in me to truly make this world a better place.

With deepest gratitude,

Colleen Gross

Captain Jonathan S. Dunn, USA

Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Once again, thank you for such a wonderful opportunity to meet such an amazing group of people. My commitment to public service has been reaffirmed and reinvigorated. As I begin teaching future leaders at West Point, I will be sure to impart the message from all of the great achievers I met at the Summit — that we are all ordinary human beings, and it is ordinary human beings with extraordinary will who achieve great things.

Sincerely,

Captain Jonathan S. Dunn, USA

Cornelia Schneider

The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

David Rubenstein, the Managing Director of The Carlyle Group, reminded us that failure is often a necessary ingredient of success, words echoed by former President Bill Clinton who reiterated that failure in one arena should never derail one’s dreams, but merely inspire one to strive on and learn from one’s mistakes. “Take criticism seriously, but not personally,” was one of his wife’s pieces of advice that I have vowed to take to heart and that must have resonated well with His Highness Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad.

Only marginally older than many of the students present at the Summit, the Crown Prince of Bahrain talked about the challenges his country faces in the fields of education, health care, integration of guest workers, and transforming Bahrain into a modern society.

I was struck by his words that when effecting real change, it is impossible to please everyone.

Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space who today seeks to promote the study of science and mathematics to young girls and women, told an anecdote that was as inspiring as it was entertaining: the story of a little boy who, after months of following Dr. Ride’s first journey into space and becoming quite an avid follower of her work, burst into tears after the launch of the space shuttle, inquiring of his mother: “Mummy, can little boys grow up to be astronauts, too?” And how could I forget Archbishop Desmond Tutu, our surprise visitor on Saturday afternoon, whom I had never had the honor of hearing speak in person before? His speech was more of a song, every word intoned for maximum effect that sent shivers down my spine, delaying words in the right place for suspense, using his arms for support, and telling us that we were eagles, not chickens. In the face of total evil, Archbishop Tutu and the people he talked about managed to retain their humanity and remind us all that humanity can be as magnanimous as it can be evil. God expects us to spread our pinions and lift off, he told us, and fly toward goodness, compassion, and gentleness.

On the artistic side of the Summit, the performance by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in the 20th Century Fox studios, was simply out of this world. And seeing Sonny Rollins perform with tap dancer Savion Glover left me in awe — the two of them seemed to have worked themselves almost into a trance during their dance-jazz duet, which was completely infectious.

During a weekend of meeting such amazing personalities, it would have been easy to get carried away with a feeling of inflated self-importance. What struck me most, however, was the persistent attitude of humility and lack of importance that exuded from everybody I came into contact with. David Rubenstein remarked that he would never have been invited to a conference such as this weekend’s at the time he was our age, and invited us not to rest on our laurels.

Lastly, Mrs. Reynolds, I wanted to stress how grateful I am to you for having introduced me to such a large number of outstanding student delegates within and outside of my own specialization. It was exciting to perceive the buzz that was going through the Beverly Wilshire Hotel all weekend, as backgrounds were told, contacts exchanged, business ideas brainstormed, and future visits planned. After a week of a spontaneous road trip through California with four Rhodes Scholars whom I met at the Achievement Summit during which we visited several other Achievement student delegates, I fully believe that the ties of friendship forged during this trip will be lasting ones.

The memories go on and on. Once again, let me thank you for stripping the veneer of the aura of the unachievable for one weekend, Mrs. Reynolds, and for showing each of us how far our ambitions can take us. The inspiration gained over this weekend will stay with me for a long time to come.

Yours sincerely,

Cornelia Schneider

Ashley M. Holder

Howard Hughes Fellow, Baylor College of Medicine

As we waited to board our flights home, another student delegate and I were discussing our amazement at the impact the Summit had on our lives in just four days. She asked me about how this weekend had been a life-changing experience for me. I answered, “I really want to make a difference in people’s lives, more than just by being a caring physician. I want to leave the world a better place than I found it. I think I’m going to work in Africa and fight HIV. Then, I want to become part of UNICEF or UNAIDS or some other NGO and be a voice for children.” She smiled and said, “I have no doubt that you can do it.” At first, I was slightly startled by my passionate reaction, but I realized then that I had discovered my calling — to serve the children of the world.

I now plan to pursue a residency in pediatrics and then to join the Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative. I hope to travel to countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, and Romania where children have been among the most affected by HIV. When I picture my life ten or even 20 years from now, I am not standing in an operating suite. Instead, I envision myself comforting a suffering child and working for UNICEF to improve the health of all children.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this extraordinary event and for making this amazingly inspirational experience possible. I know that the memory of those four days will live inside me for the rest of my life.

Sincerely yours,

Ashley M. Holder

Steven Fransblow

Siebel Scholar, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

My most in-depth conversation occurred over lunches. On Friday, I had the honor of meeting General Ralston and learning about his military experiences and views on China. In the spirit of President Clinton’s focus on our increased interdependency on the developing world, our chat turned from China and India to Europe and the Middle East as we discussed America’s role in the world. At Spago on Saturday, I had such an engaging chat with Chris Matthews that I almost did not finish my delicious lunch. As a recent newcomer to the U.S., I challenged Mr. Matthews on his views on the media’s role in our society and their responsibility to accurately report world news, not just cater to the masses’ desire for lower quality entertainment-style programming. Our discussion also led to some brainstorming on TV’s revenue model and how Mr. Matthews’s show Hardball will need to evolve from a broadcast program on cable to build new revenue sources like adding an Internet subscription service.

Finally, I truly enjoyed Sheryl Crow’s performance and the Banquet of the Golden Plate. Spending time with my fellow students was incredibly rewarding.

I met so many impressive colleagues, from Air Force Captains in the White House Fellows program to neuroscientists trying to discover cures for cancer.

Over the next few months I will be making great efforts to stay in touch and build stronger friendships.

The week after the Summit, I graduated from MIT Sloan with an MBA. As I venture back out into the working world, the experience will encourage me to further my life work beyond simple business; there are millions of people worldwide who I can help through my education, passion and skills. I have been truly blessed by my opportunities and I will strive to build more roads for more citizens to achieve and live their dreams. Thank you for your generosity in making this event possible and giving me the occasion to interact with and learn from so many fascinating people.

Sincerely,

Steven Fransblow

Ricardo Borges de Castro

Fulbright Scholar, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

President Clinton challenged us with four pertinent questions. When answered, they should guide our endeavors: “What is the fundamental nature of the 21st century? What would one like it to be? How to achieve it? And, who is going to do it?” In other words, one of the great leaders of our time exhorted us to look ahead, envision a better world, find a way to achieve it and, finally, to lead. Also, he cautioned us not to give up when facing obstacles and criticisms — “take them seriously but not personally” (quoting Hillary Clinton).

Lastly, Joan Didion. At LACMA, many were disturbed by the writer’s words. But Didion’s message was, in my perspective, about love, not loss. When she mentioned “not having the first reader … who is the person that you trust more than yourself,” evoking her late husband, she was talking about love and the importance of love in everyone’s life. Loving and being loved came through, in her words, as a way to give meaning to life. Love should thus be central in our choices and as a means to fulfill our goals and worldview.

Listening to your guests, meeting other students, learning from the best and having a major good time made the Summit one of the best weekends of my life. Thank you! I hope that I can keep “flying” and live up to the challenges presented.

Please extend many thanks to all the Academy and Summit staff and especially to Elisse LaMay. Again, I apologize for the delay but it has been hard to land.

Sincerely,

Ricardo Borges de Castro

Om L. Lala

Susan Blumenthal Scholar, Harvard University

Similarly, right before the Summit, I had published my senior thesis on co-regulation of alternative and modern medicine systems, but had not yet received any feedback from the medical community, let alone the alternative medicine community. I was truly overjoyed to have a half-hour conversation with Dr. Andrew Weil himself and get his feedback on some of my findings. These more intimate conversations were paralleled by being able to ask a Pulitzer Prize winner how to get over writer’s block, talking to Ralph Nader about divisive politics and reinstating the draft, and listening to Sheryl Crow live while dancing one-on-one with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga of Latvia (!). Having the opportunity to personally express my admiration to Dame Julie Andrews, Samuel Jackson, and Sally Field was also an experience I will not soon forget.

There were two other topic areas that I was especially interested in discussing at the Summit — foreign policy on terrorism and political divisions in the U.S. Both of these were addressed in an extremely engaging manner, by the very people who will provide world leadership on these issues. The panel on terrorism with John Negroponte, Ehud Barak, Mohamed ElBaradei, General Joseph Ralston, and others was, for me, one of the most rare and constructive conversations at the entire Summit. Most enlightening in my opinion were the comments of President Bill Clinton, who analyzed the current red-blue divisions in the U.S. as if he were discussing the problem with his inner circle.

The panel on politics and the Democratic Party with Nancy Pelosi, Tom Daschle, Fabian Núñez and Norman Mineta furthered my grasp over divisive politics in America in a manner that went well beyond the second-hand presentations of newspapers.

Looking at the entirety of the Summit’s impact on me, the one message I came away with was best brought out by the words of Congressman Edward Markey and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Congressman Markey said to all of us, “In this room is one half of one half of one half of one percent of the most privileged people on the planet and in all time.” This sentence truly brought home the idea that with great achievement, learning, privilege and opportunity, comes immense responsibility to better the lot of the least fortunate and across all of humanity. We often hear this idea, but in an environment filled with today’s leaders and students, it took on a personal and real form for me. Of course, this “responsibility” can seem to be a heavy and daunting load. Desmond Tutu helped us realize that this responsibility itself was not really a burden or an inconvenience, but a source of happiness, a source of freedom from the mundane and fleeting, urging us to “Fly eagle! Fly!” The combination of these two points constitutes the main message I have taken away from the Achievement Summit — that with great privilege comes a great responsibility to serve humanity, and yet this responsibility is not a burdensome obligation, but rather a driving purpose that can make life truly meaningful.

I never imagined that when Admiral Blumenthal gave me the honor of a nomination almost a year ago, that this event would be so incredibly meaningful to me. I thank you again for this incredible experience and your immense generosity.

Sincerely,

Om L. Lala

Cristina Bejan

Rhodes Scholar, Wadham College, Oxford University

Other members of the Academy I greatly enjoyed meeting and talking with include Chris Columbus, Peter Jackson, Kathleen Matthews, Ben Carson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It was such a treat to sit next to Mr. Abdul-Jabbar at dinner in Fox Studios and to ask his advice on behalf of my younger brother, William, who dreams of becoming a professional athlete. That same evening I could hardly believe my eyes when Trisha Yearwood came out onstage. Having grown up in North Carolina, I am quite the country music fan and what an incredible surprise and honor to hear her perform live!

Naturally, in addition to the Academy members, I learned so much from my fellow student delegates over the course of the weekend. From discussion of human rights violations involving FGM with a delegate from Cairo, to hearing from a Cuban delegate how he came to the USA on a raft at age 16, I gained first-hand exposure to what had previously been mythic tales of people in faraway places. I also feel so lucky to have had two wonderful women as my roommates: a UVA Law School student, and a former Peace Corps volunteer in China and Harvard graduate student. It was truly special to meet such passionate young people with such wide-ranging interests who live lives which are already so impressive.

Thank you for bringing all of us together for a stimulating and inspirational summit. What you have created is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I feel honored that I have been able to participate. The wise words, the stories, and the contacts from the weekend in Los Angeles will remain with me as I hope to make my own cultural and humanitarian contribution.

Best wishes from England.

Yours,

Cristina Bejan

Marcia Reinhart

Rhodes Scholar, Wadham College, Oxford University

I also thoroughly enjoyed the talk given by Bill Clinton. This was the first time I had heard Mr. Clinton speak in person, and I felt that, given the level of the audience he was speaking to and the lack of press, he was able to provide many candid opinions regarding current events and international relations. In a world where politicians are famous for never answering the question they are asked, it was again refreshing to see Mr. Clinton provide direct, intelligent answers to the many issues that arose during his question-and-answer session.

And this was only the first morning…

On the whole, the variety presented during this Summit made for a fantastic learning experience. We were exposed to such a vast repertoire of speakers, from political heads of state, to artists, musicians and filmmakers, and of course the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the inspiration of Desmond Tutu. In addition to the speakers and panel discussions, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical concert at the 20th Century Fox studios, which managed to span such a broad range of genres without losing any momentum. And of course the setting of the Summit was amazing. I must say that I returned home to my small student flat in Oxford feeling utterly spoiled.

In closing, I would simply like to say thank-you one final time. This was a fantastic opportunity and I feel I gained so much from the entire experience. I can only hope that the Academy of Achievement’s annual Summit will continue well into the future so that many other students can become as fortunate as I have been to attend.

Yours very truly,

Marcia Reinhart

Kristine Schenck

Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

What will I remember most? That’s easy. It was the moment when Robin Williams jumped on stage during the Banquet of the Golden Plate and burst into a spontaneous rap about the summit, while Sheryl Crow played her guitar. Archbishop Desmond Tutu ran to the front of the room and boogied on the dance floor. Before long, everyone was laughing and dancing, including John Negroponte, who was bouncing along with the tunes. Everywhere I looked, I could see the world’s most accomplished leaders, along with graduate students in their fanciest attire, enjoying the evening — chatting, laughing, and dancing together.

Thank you for a wonderful time. It was truly an event to remember and an experience that will continue to inspire me. When I met Jack Horner, world-renowned paleontologist, at dinner in the 20th Century Fox Studio, he asked me “What will you do in the future to be invited back to the Academy of Achievement as an inductee?” I now have another mission in life.

Respectfully,

Kristine Schenck

Captain Robert M. Chamberlain, USA

Dear Mrs. Reynolds,

It probably seems a little odd to be sending a thank you note a year and a half after I attended the Academy of Achievement in Los Angeles. After all, thinking back to the sample letters that we got, one woman apparently had hers written before she got off the plane. But I think there is a compelling reason for my tardiness, and one that fills me with joy as I sit here at my computer, getting ready to celebrate my second Thanksgiving in Iraq: the Academy of Achievement isn’t about celebrities and unbelievable stories. It’s about connection, and about changing the lives of its participants for the better.

Of course, that’s not to say that the things I witnessed there were not absolutely surreal. I got to sit down and eat a salad with Wesley Clark and talk about Iraq. I got a book recommendation from Ralph Nader (War is a Racket), which is sitting on the shelves of the shipping container I call home.

I got to sit in stunned amazement as Desmond Tutu danced on stage while Robin Williams free-styled and Sheryl Crow strummed her guitar.

These are stories I still tell, and, had I not actually been there, I wouldn’t have believed them to be possible.

However, I think there is more to these stories than the stories. Which is to say, one way of looking at the Academy of Achievement is like a crazy dream, where for three days deserving students are whisked away into a land of fame, accomplishment, Spago, and the Beverly Wilshire. But that sells it short, and misconstrues the lessons about “greatness” that I think the Academy teaches. Namely, that great people are not a different species, but rather that we all carry the seeds of greatness within us, which is to say, the Academy helps me believe in my own potential for greatness, which, for a middle class kid from Kansas, is a precious gift indeed.

To be totally honest, I could probably have told you all that 18 months ago. The reason I waited so long is that perhaps the greatest story I have from the Academy of Achievement is one of the most basic tales of humanity: I met a girl. Except, this girl, Sarah Stillman isn’t like anybody else. She’s brilliant, and kind, and funny. She thinks and feels deeply, she writes incredibly, and she’s supportive and challenging, and — well, I suppose all deep human connections are both completely unique and, when put into words, nearly indistinguishable. But I remember where we were introduced, at the mixer on the first night in the Beverly Wilshire, and how we talked sitting on a table for a long time. I remember sitting in the back row of the first day’s panel with an empty chair beside me, and then her appearance in the chair, followed by a day of passing notes and sharing commentary and ideas on the speakers. I remember having such an incredible time with each other that, when we went to Spago we had to both commit to hanging out with other people, so we didn’t just spend the whole weekend engaged with one another. And I remember, after lunch, agreeing that we both preferred each other’s company to the company of others! I remember drinking champagne and dancing in the bar of the hotel, and giving her my email address as we parted, really hoping that, like the Academy itself, this was all more than just a dream, and that it would carry through into my real life.

And it did, in the way these things do. After I tracked down her e-mail, we shared our Master’s theses, followed eventually by instant messaging, and then my rushing home to plug in my phone and call her for the first time. Those calls continued across the Atlantic, and we met in San Francisco and drove up to Orcas Island, and from there to a relationship that has existed in Lawton, Oklahoma; Oxford, England; Malaga, Spain; Kansas; Washington, D.C.; Iraq; and Australia. We talk every day, about everything, and we marvel to one another that it all started at the Academy of Achievement, that the theory is true and the event worked, and that bringing together brilliant, ambitious, wonderful people and letting them share with one another does create connections of incredible beauty.

I haven’t wanted to mention this before now because it all seemed too good to be true — like a perfect bubble that, if touched, would pop and disappear. But at the same time, I couldn’t honestly talk about the Academy of Achievement without talking about Sarah, and so I decided it would be better to say nothing at all. But, in the spirit of the season, I now feel compelled to voice my gratitude.

I remember talking to Elisse LaMay at the hotel pool while I was waiting for the shuttle to the airport, and she and the rest of the staff were having a well-earned celebration. And I want to express my deep appreciation for all the hard work that goes into hosting such an incredible event. The execution was seamless, every detail was carefully considered, and the staff went out of their way to work with me, as a student delegate, even as they were arranging accommodations for CEOs, Princes, and Presidents. And, of course, I was awed by the generosity of spirit that drives you to create and fund such an unbelievable experience year after year. You deserve more thanks than a single letter can contain, but I hope this can bring a smile to your face for just a moment, because your creation has certainly brought a deep and lasting joy to my life.

I will leave Iraq in only five and a half months. It’s rainy now in Tal Afar, and getting cold. But soon enough the weather will turn, the clouds will clear, and I will step from the heat of Iraq into the warm May sunshine of Ft. Riley, Kansas. Standing there, amongst the families, flags, and signs, will be my parents, Sarah, and a love and comfort of indescribable goodness – and, within that, the Academy of Achievement. And for that, I am thankful.

Sincerely,

Captain Robert M. Chamberlain, USA