Sunday, April 30, 2006

I was required to meet in the lobby around 4:00 a.m., as my flight back home was one of the earlier ones. Consequently, I did not get much time to sleep, or to say goodbye to others for that matter (many others had flights much later in the day and were thus asleep). The environment was quite gloomy and silent as each delegation departed one after another from the hotel. It was overwhelming to think that in such a short time, I made bonds with so many friends, all of whom represented the top-notch high school students in America, yet I would so hastily and stoically depart in an instance. To add to the pain of departure, the termination of JSHS would symbolize the end of a vacation and the start of AP exams and a resumption of the routine life of school. On the positive side, I would see many of these students once again in a matter of two weeks at Intel ISEF. Undoubtedly, my experience at JSHS was a very significant, memorable revelation. JSHS was a dream-come-true for me; months of research finally landed me a part in that national elite group of students that form the future of America.

Meeting cool people - like the Iowa delegation. (Photo by Nirmish Singla)