Bringin' Home the Silver

Gear turned in, bags packed, housing cleaned, and a last round of golf off of Vista Point. Left at 6pm and we drove back to Denver for our last spike travel by way of the Grand Canyon and Mesa Verde National park. It was a long, but incredibly fun trip. We managed to sneak in a viewing of the 7th Harry Potter, part 2. End of an era in so many ways. Weird to think this was the last time all 9 of us would be together, trying to agree on where to stop, what to eat, and who would drive next.

We got back to campus and as our Govies pulled up, we were met by huge hugs from hollering friends and the usual tangle of unloading the luggage and sorting it out. 9 days of paperwork and merriment before we laid to rest our Corps Member year.

It was the same as every other transition week: debrief, portfolio, end of round media closeouts...only this time no briefing of our next task. Even though our next task was going to be more difficult than any of the others; Life after AmeriCorps. It's funny how easy it is to get used to living with 10 others, to enjoy shopping and cooking for an army of boys and girls, to play games and get through team builders. Only thing to do was enjoy our last week together as Sun 3, and so we did it like champs.

The Amerilympics are held every year so that each team can battle it out for pride, glory, or just fun! Sun 3 went in there dressed to intimidate and own each competition. We weren't so hot at "Name That Tune," but when it came to the relays, disc golf, trivia, kickball, ultimate Frisbee, feat of strength, and the foot race, well Sun 3 is a team not easily forgotten. The day long competition yielded us the coveted Silver Medal spot. For our prize we all got silver stickers :)

That night we all cleaned up and made our way downtown for the End-of-Year banquet. Never had our team looked so polished all dressed up and smiling. We've come a long way from our "chicken fat yellow" hair as the Jet Blondesons and "No-Shave November."

 Graduation came and went and our last goodbyes given. For our team, Sun 3 could never be disbanded. We'll keep in touch and somehow we'll learn how to drive without Ground Guides or ATD's, make food for less than 10 people, and act normal in a society that favors those who shower and shave. Harder still will be learning how to live without 8 cheerleaders and constant companions, my best friends who would lie in bed together and "debrief the day."

We can hope to hold on to the love and clarity we've found from living a life of service together. It's funny to know that in a month the cycle will be repeated and across the country thousands of Corps Members and Team Leaders will begin a life changing endeavor. Thank goodness for their compassion, their talents, their able bodies and minds, and the opportunity they will bring to our world.  This country doesn't realize what an asset these new leaders will become. -Lyndsay