Wednesday, August 6

It is 5:30 am. I am at the San Diego airport. I am totally exhausted yet exceptionally content because these last seven days at San Diego State University have been an absolute blast. As each day went by, I became more and more impressed with the students and I felt increasingly connected with Operation Smile as a cause and a community. On the last full day of the conference, I found myself becoming emotional at the prospect of leaving this inspiring and welcoming environment just like all of the committed and genuine students that have surrounded me this past week.

The final day of the conference really brought all of the aspects of the week together and left the group excited and energetic for the upcoming year of Student Programs. The day began with yet another emotional and memorable motivational speaker, Robert Pruitt (who has served as a student sponsor on an Operation Smile medical mission and spoken at numerous Operation Smile events). Robert encouraged the group to choose love based energy rather than fear based energy, to not be afraid to admit our weaknesses, and to always ACT (be Aware, Contribute, and be comfortable with Transformation).

In the afternoon, students participated in a service project during which name cards for future Operation Smile mission patients were decorated. Then, the thousands of name cards were divided between mission training participants to be taken on their upcoming missions. This project eventually turned into a dance party and hug session since everyone knew the conference was quickly coming to an end.

After dinner, everyone donned their best attire and loaded in buses to head to Stingaree, a posh restaurant/nightclub in the Gas Lamp district of San Diego. The owners donated their absolutely breathtaking rooftop space for a truly tremendous evening of music, dancing, and delicious appetizers. After awards were presented by Wade Hooton, Director of Student Programs, we headed back to SDSU.

It is hard to believe my week in San Diego is over. I am certainly going to miss the beautiful weather and scenery but more than that, I will miss the endless spirit and the undying passion that pervaded the atmosphere at all times. Operation Smile truly creates a special place and a unique opportunity for students around the world and I am so thankful for the opportunity to partake in this year’s Mission Training Workshop and International Student Leadership Conference.

- Molly Rubin

Students from Nashville display name cards during the service project. (from left) Alexandra Friedman, Raffi Friedman, Michael Seitz, and Victoria Stabile. Photo by Molly Rubin.

Monday, August 4

What a jam packed day! Today’s events truly showcased the diversity of activities offered throughout each year’s ISLC. While the day was exhausting, it was truly enjoyable from sunrise to sundown. The morning began with the fierce Aztec Games, a series of field competitions during which the students compete in their groups (which all have Aztec warrior names). Games included a water balloon toss, a water cup relay, and a pie eating contest to find riddles hidden in certain pies. In addition, the banners and chants prepared by the groups yesterday, which are themed around their Aztec warrior, were presented after the games. Performance in the games as well as the banners and chants will determine the winning team, which will be announced tonight at the final dinner!!

After cleaning off warrior paint and hydrating (yesterday was the hottest day so far, which is still nothing compared to the humidity back home in Virginia!), the students heard from two very candid and very memorable speakers. First, Lisa Nichols, powerful speaker and best-selling author (she contributed to The Secret!) addressed the group. Her sincere message, which left tears in my eyes, encouraged students to believe that they deserve to have the life they love “no matter what” (which is also the title of her book coming out in April). Also, she reminded students many times throughout her speech that “you are not alone” and that life is full of second chances.

Next, Dan Clark, internationally renown speaker, writer, and Operation Smile Board of Governors member offered worthwhile life advice to the group through stories, songs, and a few jokes. Dan congratulated the students for “choosing to be a part of something larger than yourself” and largely based his talk around the mindset that “we cannot let the things we cannot do interfere with the things we can do.” While Lisa Nichols and Dan Clark pulled at the heart strings of each and every listener, I think I can safely say that students, sponsors, and staff were left feeling empowered and eager to live life to the fullest.

Later in the afternoon, the entire group, nearly 400 of us, loaded school buses and headed to SEA WORLD!! Between the field games in the morning, the speakers in the afternoon, and water-coasters, sea animal shows (of course I had to see Shamu) and acrobatic performances at Sea World in the evening, today was certainly a fun-filled and unforgettable day!

- Molly Rubin

Lisa Nichols offers a student life advice after he asks an emotional and personal question. Photo by Molly Rubin.



A team dispalys its banner at the Aztec Games. Photo by Molly Rubin.

Sunday, August 3

The days here in San Diego seem to be flying by faster and faster! Today, the real action of ISLC set in as students woke up to a jam packed day of activities. The morning began with a speech given by Chris Atwood, personal development guru and author of The Passion Test. Next, students were able to attend breakout sessions led by Chris Atwood and two other amazing and inspiring gentlemen. One of the talks was offered by Benjamin Ajak, co-author of They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan. I was blown away by Benjamin’s heart-wrenching story of fleeing Sudan as a young boy and overcoming unimaginable obstacles to reach Ethiopia and eventually come to America. In closing, Benjamin offered words of advice to the group, “We are not here to work for ourselves. We are here to work for those who cannot work for themselves.” The next breakout session speaker, best-selling author Tim Timmons, offered a talk based around “finding out who you are and what matters to you most.”

The afternoon began with the students dividing into their respective groups to prepare banners and chants themed around their group name. These banners and chants will be part of tomorrow’s fierce field game competition, The Aztec Games. Check out tomorrow’s blog for the winners!!

Later in the afternoon, students participated in Operation Smile themed breakout sessions led by Executive Leadership Council (ELC) Members, including Starting and Running an Effective Club, Networking and Communication, and Corporate Philanthropy. Tonight, I got to experience one of the jewels of ISLC, the International Party. Here, students display items from their home countries, allowing others to purchase items and taste foods, in order to expose one another to cultures from around the world. I was totally blown away by all of the energy and excitement of the “I-Party” which also included a silent auction of items from around the world and a DJ-ed dance. My night ended with a game of football in the courtyard near the dorms! Now, it’s time for sleep. Big day tomorrow including the Aztec Games and SEAWORLD!!

- Molly Rubin

Paige Atkison (center) helps team Oxomoco make their banner. Photo by Molly Rubin.

Students from South Africa and their sponsor at the International Party. Photo by Molly Rubin.

Nearly 400 students, sponsors and Operation Smile staff are participating in the 2008 International Student Leadership Conference in San Diego, Calif. Photo by Kip Cothran.

Saturday, August 2

ISLC is here!! After wrapping up the Mission Training Workshop on Friday morning and spending the afternoon on Coronado Island, the 16th annual International Student Leadership Conference commenced this afternoon. Throughout the day, students arrived to San Diego from all over the world. By this evening, more than 350 students had arrived from 17 countries!! Check in was both hectic and exciting as students received room and group assignments, gift bags, and t-shirts. During check in, I talked with some mission training graduates about their experience thus far. Kevin Woo of New Jersey, who was assigned to a mission in Nicaragua, told me that he is “really looking forward to interacting with people in Nicaragua and putting smiles on peoples’ faces.” Kevin Prior, also from New Jersey, told me that the best part about mission training was “working together and meeting other kids because we share the same goal of making life better for kids around the world.”

Once everyone was settled and had changed into their ISLC t-shirts (which showcase the conference’s theme, “Inspire Waves of Change”), the afternoon got underway with ice breakers led by members of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). After getting to know one another, the evening program began with a welcome meeting. Here, we were addressed by representative from two of Operation Smile’s newest supporters, Sony Electronics and Victoria Jackson Cosmetics. Students were amazed to learn that in just one month, Victoria Jackson Cosmetics had donated $26,000 dollars and that Sony is unveiling a “smile shutter” feature in the coming weeks. The smile shutter is a camera function which takes automatic pictures when the camera is aimed at a person who is smiling.

Next, we enjoyed a barbeque on a beautiful grassy lawn on campus and then headed back to the auditorium for opening ceremonies. Here, Operation Smile Co-founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee addressed the students as well as Paige Atkison, a ten-year-old girl from California who was born with a cleft lip and palate and has raised more than $50,000 in the past year. After opening ceremonies, the entire group headed outside where each person received a bio-degradable balloon with a picture of a child with a facial deformity attached to it. Once the whole group had balloons, we counted down and all released them at the same time, signifying the goal of each conference attendee raising money and awareness in the coming year to repair as many children’s smiles across the globe. San Diego State University is buzzing with excitement tonight as students, sponsors, and staff prepare for three action packed days ahead!

- Molly Rubin

Students are welcomed to the ISLC in San Diego. Photo by Molly Rubin.

During the award ceremonies at the Opening Ceremonies Finola Earley, student sponsor from Ireland, and Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee are surrounded by students from Ireland who received the best international club award. Photo by Molly Rubin.

Thursday, July 31

Day 2 in San Diego has flown by! We started the day with a dental hygiene presentation given my Marci Hooton followed by a brand new smoking prevention initiative presented by Chris Casper later in the morning. In between, the students worked on presentations and came up with creative songs and dances to relay the new information they learned. The students are becoming more and more enthusiastic as they become more comfortable with the healthcare material and gain a better understanding of what their specific roles will be on the mission.

The mood was filled with additional excitement, and eager anticipation, because the students knew that mission assignments would be announced at dinner. In the afternoon, the students heard from Dottie Ryan who taught the nutrition module. In between activities today, I got the chance to speak with students about the experience at mission training thus far. As expected, the students offered rave reviews. Louise Kavanaugh from Ireland told me, “It’s really great that Mission Training has brought all of us together. Being given the opportunity to discuss our ideas and concerns with each other and the ELC members is very helpful.” In addition, I spoke to Brooke Hogan from Virginia who explained, “Being at the Mission Training Workshop has been amazing. Working with students from different countries has offered unique perspectives to the group. Also, I am thankful for the presentations about cultural sensitivity because this will help significantly in preparing for my mission.”

Tonight, our whole Mission Training group including the 46 participants, the ELC members, the sponsors, and the staff headed to Mission Beach for dinner. We ate dinner at a great seafood restaurant called Nick’s (I had the mahi mahi and it was delicious) and then we went out onto the beach for the announcement of the mission assignments! All of the students were beyond thrilled with their assignments which included missions to India, Venezuela, China, Madagascar, Mexico, and more! Tomorrow morning’s activities will conclude this summer’s mission training workshop thus sending a great group of students on their way to overseas missions in the coming year!

- Molly Rubin

(from left) Jed Rooney, Danielle Brantner and Lindsay Brown give a dental hygiene presentation. Photo by Molly Rubin

Students present a song on nutrition (from left) Connie Conti, Alexis Hionis, Victoria Stabile, Jacob Keller, Neil Farrell and Lily Walter. Photo by Molly Rubin.