Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Monday, March 01, 2010

SUBJECT: Good Hope Student Studies National Security in Washington, D.C.

CONTACT: Susan Kraeger Director of Development The Good Hope School 170 Estate Whim Frederiksted, VI 00840 340-772-0022, ext. 103 340-772-4626 FAX skraeger@ghsvi.org

With a passion for politics, policy, and debate, it is no wonder Good Hope junior Shane Ryan-Bataller chose National Security as the focus of his week -long intensive at the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. in February. There Shane joined a like-minded group of high school students as they worked through the intricacies of a simulated nuclear threat from a North Korea with missiles capable of reaching the U. S. The students’ job was to successfully negotiate a policy for the executive branch of government to accept and implement. In his “job” as press secretary, Shane found himself running from one “committee” meeting to another as members of the diplomatic, military, scientific, and legislative communities sought to hash out a response to the “crisis” that would support their viewpoint and that of their constituents, as well as resolve the problem. He learned that networking is everything.

“I was amazed and overwhelmed at how complicated and exciting the process is,” Shane said. “We were all constantly reminded of how all eyes are on America no matter what the situation, and that there is tremendous global impact with whatever choice the United States makes. I have come away from this experience with a tremendous respect for the people in these decision making roles. I now know and appreciate that our government is human.”

When not working on the simulation, Shane and his fellow students had the opportunity to meet and discuss issues and current events with top policy makers in Washington. Evening speakers included directors of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), representatives from the diplomatic community, scientists, and top level military advisors from the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy, and included Phillip Mudd, intelligence chief for Homeland Security.

“Our days started at 7:00 a.m. with breakfast, and the last lecturer did not finish until 10:30 at night,” Shane reported. “Then, there was the reading homework we were required to do for the next day. Google was my best friend for the week! I never got to bed before 2:30 a.m. but it never felt like work! And, I learned how to tie a tie while running down a flight of stairs in the morning,” he admitted.

Afternoons were spent visiting national monuments and points of interest. For Shane who was born and raised on St. Croix, the trip included his first snow and cold weather. Each day provided Shane with more firsts including a trip to Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court with a view of the courtroom, the Library of Congress, the Newseum, the Saudi Arabian Embassy, and Arlington National Cemetery.

“Every day the place we went was the best I’d ever been until the next day,” said Shane “and then I would see something else that was just incredible. In that week I mastered escalators! At the Newseum I learned how news affects and shapes politics. I also saw an antenna from the Twin Towers, and a huge piece of the Berlin Wall. The west side of the wall was covered with graffiti, while the east side was painted white so the guards could see to shoot the people trying to escape. It was amazing. But, the most moving thing I saw in Washington was the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. It was a freezing cold day and the soldiers took it so seriously. One of the kids in our group got to place the wreath on the tomb that day. I will never forget it.”

When asked what it felt like to return to The Good Hope School Shane replied, “I came home to a math quiz after spending a week saving the world from nuclear disaster! It was the coolest trip!”

This summer Shane hopes to attend the Global Young Leadership Conference in Beijing, China.