A week ago exactly I went to Wabash College's program called OLAB which stands for Opportunities to Learn About Business. My brother had gone, so had my mom, and a few friends that have already graduated. But I still didn't know that much about it. I am so thankful I took a chance and spent my week in this program! Our days started at 8:30 and ended around 11. So much happened in each one it is overwhelming thinking about having to write about a week that was so jam packed and full of learning and fun! Each day consisted of lectures, games, meals, rec time, and activities. As well as awesome people and it all took place at a lovely place.
There was a total of 53 labbies that ranged from Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Connecticut, Texas, Georgia, California, and France! All of us are going to be seniors and high school next year, but that is about all that we have in common as a group.
Although we did find out through introductory speeches that we did about each other that lots of us have individual connections and similarities. My speech partner was Elizabeth Stratton! She was really friendly and outgoing and even though the day we interviewed each other I was really shy, she branched out to me and made it really easy to talk to her. I found out about her family, her job, and that she is a sailor!! Very cool. I just presented my speech originally, but some of the other labbies did so in song, in a poem, using an acronym, and by marketing off their partner for a relationship.
We had seven counselors- Louie, Kojo, Jacob, Mike, Brittany, Stephanie, and Marissa. We loved Louie and the way he talked and the way he danced and the way he tried to set us all up and when he had a rubber band war with us. At one point he asked Morgan and I, "so have you met any potential boyfriends? husbands? friends with benefits?" He was hilarious and really friendly.
Kojo was the counselor assigned to my group and he was also really cool. He was laid back and chill, but the best one on the dance floor and a useful advisor to my team.
The staff and speakers were incredible! The majority of them were so passionate about what they do and it really showed when they taught and lectured us about it. Jim Amidon was the directs and did such an outstanding job! I'm so glad he took a chance and continued the program. He also talked to us about marketing and advertising and was really interesting and engaging.
Bert Barreto, a prof of economics, taught us about a lot to do with financing and accounting and number crunching. He knew so much and was a little intimidating the way he presented it. What I understood of his lectures, I learned a lot. But there was a lot more still that I could have learned but just didn't grasp.
Todd McDorman, a prof of rhetoric at Wabash, taught us about public speaking and group dynamics. Davey Neal taught us about stocks.
Chris Cottterill, the chief of staff for Indy's mayor, gave a presentation about ethics. Greg Shaheen is known as the game master at OLAB, but he also has the title of the senior executive vice president of the NCAA. He made it a lot of fun and interesting as well.
JoAn Scott an executive at Nike headquarters in Oregon flew here all the way to Cville to talk to us at OLAB. Having the most impact, and real life examples her speech was one of my very favorite. She talked to us about the importance of building a relationship with their endorsers and customers and Nike's way of creating those bonds. It touch and expanded on the same points Jim gave in his marketing and advertising lectures. Not only is it really awesome what she does, but who she is and her personality had a lot to do with it.
Rec was our own time. We had about an hour and a half a day to spend as we wished. During the week I used this to swim, run to my house, nap, chill and debrief, work on stuff for the game, and tie dye (which was a group activity. we just did it during rec).
Activities were led by the counselors, and with the exception of the tie dye, were done at night. They included an egg drop challenge, a scavenger hunt, 2 dances, going to see Horrible Bosses at the movie theater, watching No Strings Attached in Martindale's basement, and a talent show. They were all super fun, but the dances and talent show were definitely my favorite. At the dances I thought the guys were definitely the first to take advantage of the opportunity. Kojo and David and Alexander and Hamilton were just a few that were fun to be next to on the dance floor. They were so full of energy and moves and it was fun to join in with them. Most of the music was fast and the dancing consisted of circles and jumping/moshing and fist pumping and trains as well as singing and chanting along with the words. There were also a few slow songs. At the first dance during these songs I danced with Alexander, Jacob, and Dom! The second dance I danced with Louie, Seth, and David! There's just something so attractive about guys that can dance.
The talent show was also really fun. We all had to participate so some of the acts had true talented performances and others were just doing something because it was mandatory. The acts ranged from musical performances, to dancing, to juggling, applying make-up, human pyramid, and braiding.
Morgan, Jacqueline, Lucy, Jessie, and I were in a group. We weren't sure what to do and changed it from the Potter puppet pals reenactment to an Ode to OLAB the day of the show. Morgan and I wrote it during rec that day and we all took turns reading lines. We incorporated as many individuals as we could and were both really proud of it:
Ode to OLAB
Just one more speech and it won't be long
Unlike Dominick, we can't perform it in a song
We got here on Sunday- Michael shook everyone's hands
That water jug is something I do not understand
The name tags tell us who we are
But if we here "sup" we know Kevin isn't far
Intro speeches weren't actually that scary we must confess
I learned Pete wants to attend "Waybish"... college I guess?
Betty marketed Seth better than match.com
But with any OLAB boy you can't go wrong!
Louie initiated relationships at the dance
Come on Merriman- now's your chance
Back to the dance- the counselors showed their moves
Mike djed, Kojo rocked, and Marissa grooved.
Jacob came late-but won't be forgotten
I'll think of him as I wear my tie dye often
Meals at the first table are sure to be loud
If I had Mary Ellen's laugh boy would I be proud
Luckily she hasn't yet peed her pants
Though according to Jim we need bladder transplants
We don't have a segue here-sorry Bert
All the intense number crunching made our heads hurt
We learned from Greg knowledge to make our companies grow
Also about a junior high dance & obnoxious hoe
Witney's accounting aunt could be the solution
Greg would like to see her beautiful face in high resolution
I've notice the love here is not spread thin
Clearly Pete & Bryce's bromance is a win
During rec girls lay outside to get a tan
While boys climb the rope to look like a man
Aren goes intense during racquetball
As do counselors at night patrolling the hall
"Lights out ladies, lights out ladies"
TURN OUT YOUR LIGHTS
thanks. sweet dreams. and have a goodnight
The jet lag caused some to sleep during the days
that were filled with decisions, marketing, & the game-Hooray!
I'm anxious to see who comes out on top
When announced their jaws are sure to drop
Alexander's chuckle is sure to be heard
When tomorrow, Hamilton's speech gives the last word
Our speech & OLAB too, must come to an end
Our advice: use what we learned & all remain friends
As our ode says, OLAB had to end. This happened Saturday. Our families and friends joined us for commencement in Salter Hall. Jim, Hamilton, the counselors, and Greg spoke. All of the generous sponsors and people involved that made it possible were thanked. We also watched the tv commercials each group produced. Hamilton was voted by us to give the commencement speech. He used humor and honesty and summarized the week and his personal experience well.
Awards were also presented. The overall winner of the game, the best managed firm went to Nuance technologies which produced a phone similar to ours.
The Nightengale by Pie Inc. won the Tobey advertising awards, the best marketing-bingo award was won by Whitney and Branon, Seth stole the Bull Thrower award given for the best stockholder's speech, Whitney also won the best introductory speech, and Mr. & Mrs. Labbie deservingly went to David and Elizabeth.
Then we all went back to Martindale. But this time, it wasn't to head to our dorms or to a surprise dance. It was time to leave. Everyone waved as their cars drove in many different directions to their homes and next destinations. Our hearts were full of friendships and everlasting memories and our heads piled with numbers and inspiring ideas. I know that every single labbie has so much potential as the counselor Jacob said, and I'm excited to keep in touch with them and hear where they end up!
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