For the next several days, I’ll be in Dover. I have plenty of people to see and errands to run! Starting June first, I’ll be living in Medford, MA, working two web programming and design jobs, as well as working on the next version of GetchaBooks. At the end of June, I’m moving back to Dover to teach at the Computer Academy, my normal summer routine for several years now. Finally, come August, I’ll be resting and playing back in Medford, MA, preparing for another semester at Tufts.

The plan is to keep busy, create things, and make money. What could possibly go wrong?

Ten years ago, I was nine years old. My family had not yet moved to Dover Plains or even to Carmel, the community I lived in before moving to Dover. I spent most of my time playing video games, and struggled in school. I had a hole in my ear drum that prevented me from taking normal showers or swimming with my friends. Never had I operated a modern personal computer. A good deal of my mental energy was absorbed by jingles on TV, some that celebrated a new millennia.

In these ten years, I studied, worked, laughed, and cried. I took hundreds of standardized tests, met many people, and spoke dozens of million of words. I grew closer to some people, and drifted away from others. I had my fair share of heartache, but publicly and unashamedly fell for a beautiful woman at Tufts University.

Although that brief story seems pretty special to me, I bet it’s unremarkable to you. With some luck, your story has similar themes of progress and development. After all, a lot happens in ten years. In these last ten, many of us became completely different people, with something still recognizable from our pasts.

I love looking back every once in a while. It’s comforting, and I benefit as a person by remembering who I was, where I came from, and who helped me get where I am; it’s that benefit that pushes my evangelism of journaling.

If you’re not already taking a few moments a day to jot down what you’re thinking, you’re not really getting the full benefit of these collective, reflective moments. Although I’m not an expert on memory formation, I know you’re missing a lot if you don’t write stuff down. To reflect on what remains in our heads over a long period is incomplete; leave notes to yourself to piece together a more complete narrative.

Entering this new year, give journaling a shot. If you’re celebrating the dawn of a new decade tonight, remember to remember it.

Although I haven’t written about it this year, yet, I’ve been really enjoying my job at the Computer Academy, just as I have in years past. This year, I’m teaching children all day; in the morning, I teach a programming class, and in the afternoon, web design.

Teaching at the Computer Academy is very rewarding. I’m teaching topics that I’m passionate about, and the students, for the most part, seem to share my passion. After all, that’s why they’re there.

Besides, what could be better than a job where you get to teach children, while they’re still impressionable, that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is responsible for somewhere near 90% of the world’s problems?

Just as in years past, the Dover Carnival is happening at the same time as my four-week summer job. I attended last night. What used to be a full-fledged obsession for me has deteriorated to something between a nuisance and spectacle. I’ve been giving it some thought, but I can’t pinpoint what, exactly, has changed. Although there was the notable escalation of violence last summer, I assume that I have changed more than the Dover Carnival.

I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing; it’s just a thing. It’s interesting to publicly document my changing feelings for my Summertime Traditions.

College is hard. That is to say, time management is hard. In a ridiculously social environment, it’s hard to make time to sit in front of a computer for the sake of sitting in front of the computer. I took five classes this last semester, and have been funneling tons of time into the Tufts Roundtable, a new publication at Tufts. I’m the head web designer.

What I’ve run against over the last year is the ongoing debate between living life and broadcasting life. It’s a debate I’ve been struggling with, and over the last eight months, I’ve focused on living over lifecasting. With my new pool of time, we’ll see how that changes.

This last semester was amazing, and I’ve actually had the time of my life at Tufts. For better or worse, I’ll be passing my time in Dover Plains until September, and because I’m Ricky, I have goals for that time.

1. Resting.
2. Reading.
3. Getting outside.
4. Tinkering with computers.
5. Spending time with friends.

This July, I’ll be working my standard summer job at the Dutchess Community College Computer Academy, a computer camp for kids. Other than that, I have no concrete plans. I’m looking for another job, or some volunteer work in Dutchess or Putnam counties. Let me know if you have anything in mind.

Oh, and welcome back! I’ll be writing much more often than I have now.

Now that I’m back home in my bedroom in Dover, life has slowed down for me significantly. Let’s catch up!

Academically

I’m doing well at Tufts academically. After my first set of midterms, I had a huge panic that involved the expectations I was setting for myself in a more challenging environment than I was accustomed to at Dover High School. After some work in managing my expectation and tightening my studying skills, I’m growing happier with how I’m doing.

My classes are challenging, and I’m learning so much, both “inside and outside the classroom”. Although I find that phrase very cliché, it’s cliché because it’s true! Always being surrounded by highly motivated people was initially terrifying, but now that I’ve gotten more accustomed to it, I thrive off of it. I’m only just beginning to grok the plethora of opportunities I have at Tufts, and the most exciting of those opportunities are my peers.

On a more serious note, over the last 13 or so weeks, I’ve been studying in Tufts’ School of Engineering. For better or worse, although I tend to think better, I’ve decided to transfer to the School of Arts and Sciences. I’ve decided that I have so much more to study, so much more to learn in so many different areas, than the focused course disciplines in Engineering can ever give me.

Personally

I’ve been having a wonderful time in the backyard of Boston, as I like to call Medford. In the last three months, I’ve seen more and done more than I ever could have back in Dover. The list of people and groups I’ve seen includes Jonathan Coulton (with the wonderful Paul and Storm), Death Cab for Cutie, Nicholas Negroponte, and Barack Obama.

The new friends I’ve made at Tufts are delightful and charming people, and although I already miss them all, it’s great to be back home. I’m overjoyed to be spending time with my family (and dog!), and I’ve been catching up with my hometown friends, which is always a pleasure.

Giving Thanks

It’s no coincidence this post is going up on Thanksgiving in the United States. In a funny way, this is my way of giving thanks to all of the people and circumstances that have made my life amazing over the last three months.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that the people and circumstances in your life are healthy and pleasant, as well.

To start, I’m flattered to be asked for my help like this; I really appreciate it. However, there are far more qualified people to ask than I. Perhaps the Student Government of the college has an official “historian” or someone well-versed in writing constitutions. I’m very confident there’s plenty of help to be found on the campus itself.

Regardless, I’m more than happy to offer my help. In this instance, however, there isn’t a formula for producing a perfectly polished document. Writing a bullet-proof constitution for an organization is inherently a very customized task, one that needs to be fine-tuned to the organization’s needs and goals. I can’t possibly pretend to offer any truly targeted advice for an organization I’m not a member of. It’s a personal journey, and with time, any group that cares enough can pen the guidelines for a system they care about.

There are some basic guidelines to follow, for sure. For example, you must define all of your terms, layout your articles logically, and keep the document internally consistent. This doesn’t even come close to scratching the surface. I recommend learning by example.

My two favorite constitutions are United States Constitution and (selfishly) the Dover High School Student Council Constitution. The former document has guided our nation to where it is today, arguably, very successfully. The latter document was written over the span of a year by seven different people and has since been easily amended twice. Every sentence, article, and punctuation mark was placed where it was for a reason. If you reverse-engineer both of these examples, you’ll learn more than enough to do a great job.

Look those two documents over, read up for advice on Google, and never be afraid to take your time. Rushing something as fundamental as a constitution will only lead to problems down the road.

And finally, good luck!

I had an intense experience this morning, and I’ll never forget it. At Dover Middle/High School, HS Student Council members have to say the pledge and read the morning’s announcements each day. This month is my assigned month (and some other people’s), and I had an additional duty this morning. Directly after saying the pledge, I was to instruct the student body to remain standing for a moment of silence to remember everyone impacted or stolen from us six years ago.

While reciting the pledge and this unique announcement, I became very emotional. I was certain that I would be fine before doing it, but upon saying, “I pledge,” I felt immensely sad. Completing sentences was painful, and I’m amazed that I was able to finish the task without stopping completely.

It was obvious that I was troubled by the task, but people were kind enough not to say anything to me about it. I wish I didn’t have to do that this morning. To a much greater extent, I wish no one had to.

That morning was one of the most profound experiences in my life. I remember it, second by second, in its entirety. One year later, the memories of seven years ago elicit the same emotional response from me. My most sincere condolences to those affected by that day.

The efforts I took at bettering the Dover community last year are well documented on this blog. At the time, my friends and mentors appreciated my work. I wrote and said what everyone was thinking, but alas, it didn’t bring about much change by itself.

Since I left town, this may have changed. I’ve been hearing vague reports from anonymous sources that things I had written on my blog in the past have hit the desks of important people in the Dover community. The focus of my first month at Tufts was to become a member of my new community, a challenging task when there’s so much going on back home. For instance, a Google Alert I have to track the term “Richard Mondello” just alerted me that I was in the Harlem Valley Times this last week:

Frame said that she had recently been reading Dover Valedictorian Richard Mondello’s blog with great interest and had taken to heart when Mondello said that he felt that the “community leaders weren’t listening to the youth.”

“It’s a shame,” Frame said and offered to begin meeting with the Dover student council and the board of education on a regular basis.

Galayda mentioned Mondello’s work in organizing the “Register for Change” event and applauded the youth’s determination.

I didn’t know this until just now, four days after the article was published. If I wasn’t proactive about tracking my reputation, I may have ever known!

So, to my friends and mentors back home, I need a favor from you. If you hear and read anything related to me, the Dover Dilemma, or Register for Change, please send me an email and let me know. I’d really appreciate hearing anything you know, whether it be fact or rumor.

While I’m at it, if you’re a Dover student who’d like to continue down the path I set on last year, writing about injustices in Dover High School, you’re welcome to email me an anonymous report that I’ll guest post here.

Thank you. Really.

As always, I quote it below for posterity’s sake.

Students raise political awareness with ‘Register for Change’ rally

DOVER – Students and recent graduates from Dover High School held a political rally on Aug. 9 in the Town of Dover to promote the importance of voting, as well as to inform the public about presidential candidate Barack Obama’s policies.

Bumper stickers, pins and signs were given out at the “Register for Change” event, and voter registration cards were available for residents to fill out.

A couple weeks before his graduation from Dover High School in June, Valedictorian Richard Mondello, 18, created a group on the social networking Web site www.facebook.com advocating to host a political rally during the summer. He received a large amount of feedback from his fellow students wanting to participate and join the group.

“I wanted to do something that would show that the young people of Dover are getting really involved and excited about the upcoming election,” Mondello said.

“I feel like young people hardly ever get good press, and I wanted us to do something positive and constructive,” he said.

After the event’s date was confirmed, Mondello and Dylan Young, 18, went to a town board meeting to get permission to assemble.

Mondello also contacted the Barack Obama campaign about the event, which is how he received the bumper stickers, pins, signs and voter registration cards that were available at the rally.

“There have been a lot of great people coming out to support us and coming up to the tent registering to vote,” said Justin Schneider, 18.

“I’ve been here since 8:30 for the cause. I’m not necessarily for a candidate. I’m for change and involvement in the political process. That’s what all of us are really trying to promote,” he said.

Congressman John Hall (D-Dover) also attended to help promote involvement in the political process.

“The wonderful turnout for this event is proof that bringing people into the political process will make a difference. I think it’s a great message to publicize,” Hall said. “The first step is to be involved and to vote.”

I’m practically speechless in trying to describe how successful our event was – so I’ll let photos help me do the talking (and cheering). The exceptional photos in this post, taken by Renee, are only a sampling of what you can find on facebook.

On Saturday, everything that could have gone right, went right. Everything that could have gone wrong – didn’t.

Coming on this journey, I’ve learned so much. From the rally’s conception a few weeks before graduation, to Saturday’s execution of the idea, I have so much to share. Here, I write my impressions from the day itself. I’ll have more to share in the days ahead.

I begin by saying with clearly added emphasis that I’ve never been more proud of myself and my friends. Yes, this notion deserves its own paragraph. Without the support of these special people, Register for Change would be an idea without action. The list of people to thank is far too large for this blog post, and I’ll be trying my personal best to recognize each and every contributer over the next few days in a private context.

Grassroots, Really

On Saturday, I witnessed grassroots politics in action for the first time in my life. Guided by common beliefs, more than thirty students came out to support Barack Obama’s bid for the Presidency. Ranging from ages sixteen to twenty, these men and women dominated the days events, but they weren’t alone. For instance, a girl around three years of age asked to borrow a rally sign I was holding so she could stand alongside the students. One Dover resident shared her experiences campaigning for women’s rights during her political heyday, a compelling story. An older gentleman, born before the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, sat beside us, ecstatic to campaign for change.

Watching the organic excitement spread from person to person, the genuine camaraderie form between people of all ages and backgrounds, continues to inspire me. The effect of this inspiration on me was visible – rather, audible – at Register for Change. I cannot count how many times I shouted, “I’m fired up!” to which the everyone enthusiastically replied, “I’m ready to go!” Although I began the day physically exhausted, a natural energy powered me through the whole event as head-cheerleader.

This will sound obvious to a certain audience of this post, but “grassroots” isn’t just a term that news reporters and bloggers throw around. It is the energy and vitality that I just described leading to positive outcomes. To see this vigor focused in the center of my traditionally conservative town is the change that I had hoped for.

Goals & Outcomes

I had three goals with Saturday’s event. The first was to register people to vote, which certainly happened. I have twenty voter registrations cards to bring to the Board of Elections, and other residents took cards home to mail in themselves. Although that number may sound small, it isn’t. If even just half of those people vote regularly, I’ve accomplished my first goal.

My second goal was to promote Senator Barack Obama, which we couldn’t have done better. The literature that fellow coordinator Matt created and distributed was targeted and well-received. Although we were met with resistance at some points of the day from people with hateful comments or gestures, I’d say that 90% of feedback was positive. Like the students running the event, it seems that people driving by were fired up; passengers from seven different states showed their enthusiasm.

In my original announcement of the event, I wrote that I wanted to,

…show Dover Plains and its surrounding communities that the young people of Dover can do something positive. I want to send a clear message that Dover’s young people aren’t all about gangs, drugs, or fighting.

Although I can’t measure our success in this effort, I couldn’t imagine an event that could send a clearer message. Hopefully, together, we put a dent into the negative image emanating from Dover recently.

Surpassing Expectations

In my original goal-setting, I forgot a very simple aim: to have fun. Luckily, I can’t name a single person who didn’t really enjoy themselves on Saturday. I’ve been bombarded by comments from students who genuinely couldn’t think of a better way to spend their entire Saturday, which is heartwarming.

A certain treat of our afternoon was a visit from our district’s Congressman, John Hall (D, 19th district). The fact he had the time to make an appearance at Register for Change was amazing; although he actually lives in Dover, finding time between passing legislation and running a Congressional campaign is difficult.

Surpassing expectations, a theme of the day, Mr. Hall had a conversation with us about issues he’s tackling in Congress, spanning from veterans benefits and the climate crisis to equal pay for women in the workforce. We were delighted to meet and speak with the Congressman.

Moving Forward

I relied on a lot of people and experiences to help me pull this off. Everything that I’ve worked on over the last several years came together in one day’s events. Whether it was the ability to be a cheerleader that I picked up at HOBY several years ago, or the organizational skills I acquired by managing my high school Student Council’s records, it seems like my four years at Dover High School prepared me to start and execute something very constructive.

After witnessing this experience, I have many fewer worries as to the future of Dover High School, something I’ve written about extensively. On Saturday, I saw many of the students I’m leaving behind accomplish amazing things. I’m excited to see what they’ll do for Dover in the months to come.

Final Thoughts

A question that’s had me preoccupied for some time is, what do I do now? I’ve been using my job and Register for Change to procrastinate leaving for Tufts University. I no longer have any excuses; only a scant fifteen days separate me from a new life in Boston. In that time, I have so much to do – items to purchase and pack, affairs to settle, and people to value.

In the last several weeks, months, and years, I’ve established the friendships and connections that made Register for Change possible. Now, I “pause” these relationships, excited to resume them later. This prospect, now at the center of my thoughts, is both frightening and exciting. As I travel eastward, Register for Change is an experience that I’ll carry with me, one which I’ll always be able to bring to the table in all my future endeavors.

Again, I couldn’t be happier. The notion that students in a traditionally conservative town mobilized to promote something they’re passionate about, register people to vote, and change the image of their town to the world is change we can believe in.