A six-member team from Globe University- Eau Claire trekked to the State Capitol in Madison on April 16, 2013, to participate in the Wisconsin Council for Independent Educators (WCIE) Hill Day event and tell our stories to our legislators. The team consisted of Wesley Escondo, campus director; Kelsie Beckfield, career services director; Jeff Ahonen, paralegal program chair; Sandy Rutter, community manager; and two outstanding students, Alissa Keneally and Cassie Underwood.
Team from Globe University-Eau Claire at the Capitol in Madison
We met with our Assemblyman Warren Petryk and the staff of Senator Kathleen Vinehout. Students and administrators shared information about Globe University-Eau Claire. The students discussed their backgrounds and why Globe was the right educational fit for them. It was an amazing day that inspired a poetic retelling of the events:
T’was the night before Hill Day and all throughout Globe
Not a creature was stirring in each person’s abode.
Professional clothing was chosen with care
And layers of clothing to ward off chill air.
Others were nestled still snug in their beds
While visions of legislators danced in our heads.
Wes and Jeff in their suits, Kelsie, Alissa, Cassie, and I, in our best
Had just settled in for a long drive South and East.
When what to our wondering eyes should appear
But the Madison Capitol gleaming with grandeur!
The halls how they sparkled! The history, majestic!
The carvings, mosaics, and paintings artistic!
We met with officials who prepped us with questions and more
Heard stories from students of the education they adore.
We were readied and nervous, our stories to share
With Representative Petryk and Senator Vinehout, our legislators there.
They were busy with meetings, doing the work of our state.
We had scheduled our meetings, we didn’t want to be late!
The Legislators so welcoming, so friendly,and kind
We knew in a moment they had our best interest in mind.
They listened intently as our stories we shared
of the incredible ways our students are prepared
For professions and careers, Applied Learning (a perk!)
to move Wisconsin forward because of their work.
Then we sprang to the van with students in tow
And away we all went happy for the opportunity to go!
But I heard the group exclaim as we drove from the Hill,
“It was a great day in Madison—we’ll see you next April!”
