Sarah's Blog
10/26/13
We had to have our service project topic decided by today. Ellie and I had a few options that we were interested in doing. I was interested in helping people who needed clean drinking water or helping honey bees survive. After the service fair, when many organizations had stands in our gym and informed us of service opportunities that we had, I became very interested in the honey bee's struggle. I learned more about the issue from The Beez Kneez. Ellie and I were enthusiastic about our project, delighted that it was unique from the other projects. I felt so happy that Ellie and I could agree on a topic that we both felt passionate about and that was close to home, affecting our friends and neighbors.
2/6/14
Unfortunately, today we received news from The Beez Kneez organization that it wouldn't be possible for us to work with them directly. They were too busy and already had plenty of help. Although this was disappointing, it also opened doors for Ellie and I to create our own campaign. We have decided not to work directly with any organization. Instead, we will become a self-lead project. I hope this works out. I feel hopeful for our project even though we don't have an organization to connect with.
4/22/14
This was my very first experience in a City Council Meeting! I was excited and nervous to attend. Not sure of what to expect, I brought a pen and a notebook. Listening to the Council members argue and debate was very different from what I first imagined. They were harsh on ideas, often criticizing and questioning proposals. I was intimidated by the constant questioning and re-examining as well as by the officialness of it all. The meeting had no delay and was swept along quickly by Mayor Hovland. The way they made big and small decisions seemed to be equal. Ellie and I stayed at the meeting for quite a long time. The meeting started at 19:00 and by the time we left it was 21:30. The meeting wasn't even over yet when we left. We decided that with school the next morning, it would be wise to get some sleep. Overall, I enjoyed my first experience in a City Council meeting because it was interesting to see how the elected officials in our community make important decisions and how the community also gets a voice.
5/7/14
On this day we met up at Ellie's house to have a research session. From 16:00 to 21:00 we researched honey bees. We learned about how major their impact really was on our society. Ellie and I learned about chemicals that have harmful effects on honey bees. We expected to only research the bad things that were happening to the honey bees and we did learn a lot about their struggle to survive and live in safe habitats but we were overjoyed to also learn about all the things organizations like The Beez Kneez are doing to help them. Ellie and I are hopeful for the future of honey bees!
5/15/14
Today was a big work day for Ellie and I. We polished our power point so that it was ready to be presented to the city council. I feel excited but also really nervous. It all seems so official. What will they say? Maybe they won't like our presentation at all. Maybe they will think of all sorts of loopholes we hadn't thought of. Ellie and I double checked our facts at least ten times. We wouldn't want to present false information to the mayor of Edina. I can't wait to be a part of the meeting in the evening on Tuesday May 20th, 2014. Our presentation is shaping up very nicely. We have a great proposal and I hope the council seriously considers it.
5/20/14
We presented! It went really well. I'm so glad that the Speak Up, Edina! presentation ended up being a fantastic Segway into our own presentation instead of making us sound repetitive and boring. We seemed to be well enjoyed by the audience. The applause was exciting. The council members seemed thrilled that we were standing up for this issue and participating in city council meetings as freshmen. The council asked great questions. We had all the answers and they were impressed. I think our presentation left a huge impact on the minds of the council members and the audience. I am so enthusiastic about it and I truly believe we can help the honey bees this way. It's amazing to know that even at only 15 years of age, I still have a voice in my community and in my government. If any council members are reading this, thank you so much for being so supportive! It has really made a difference to me. Special thanks to our Edina City Manager, Scott Neal, our Communications & Technology Services Director, Jennifer Bennerotte and Mayor Hovland for being especially helpful in making our presentation possible, giving us advice, and being so very welcoming!
5/27/14
Dietrich Nissen (Video Production Assistant) interviewed Ellie and I today! It was so exciting. Such a great opportunity to get out the word about honey bees. I was so anxious that I would say something wrong during the interview. Mr. Nissen made it easy and was open and relaxed the whole time which helped a lot. I can't wait to see what happens to this footage! He seemed pleased with our interviews. Because Ellie and I have AP Government on B days and not A days (our school runs on a two day block schedule), we pretended to be in Mr. Sigmunds A day class so that Mr. Nissen could get footage of us in class. The whole process was very exciting because it meant that someone was really interested in what we have to say. I think the interviews went well. It's definitely an exciting time for Ellie and I and we are happy to be making a difference in our community.
5/29/14
We interviewed Erin from the Beez Kneez today. We also got to see the workshop, which is the main place that they make the honey and jar it. It was such a cool workspace! We met Kristy Allen, who talked to us about how she started the organization, why she was interested in honey bees and what was so important about them. The Beez Kneez even invented their own bicycle powered honey extractor. By interviewing Erin, we learned a lot more about bees. One of the most interesting facts that I learned was that all worker honey bees are female. The male honey bees, called drones, don’t leave the hive and don’t do much at all. I was also amazed that honey bees keep their hives at around 90 degrees fahrenheit. Erin was so kind and welcoming! She was a pleasure to speak with. I feel an even deeper connection with honey bees now! Actually, when Ellie and I first started this project, I was afraid of bees and thought of them as a threat. Now that I know more about them, I don’t even flinch when they come near me! I’m really glad that I could have the opportunity to learn so much about these vital pollinators.
10/26/13
We had to have our service project topic decided by today. Ellie and I had a few options that we were interested in doing. I was interested in helping people who needed clean drinking water or helping honey bees survive. After the service fair, when many organizations had stands in our gym and informed us of service opportunities that we had, I became very interested in the honey bee's struggle. I learned more about the issue from The Beez Kneez. Ellie and I were enthusiastic about our project, delighted that it was unique from the other projects. I felt so happy that Ellie and I could agree on a topic that we both felt passionate about and that was close to home, affecting our friends and neighbors.
2/6/14
Unfortunately, today we received news from The Beez Kneez organization that it wouldn't be possible for us to work with them directly. They were too busy and already had plenty of help. Although this was disappointing, it also opened doors for Ellie and I to create our own campaign. We have decided not to work directly with any organization. Instead, we will become a self-lead project. I hope this works out. I feel hopeful for our project even though we don't have an organization to connect with.
4/22/14
This was my very first experience in a City Council Meeting! I was excited and nervous to attend. Not sure of what to expect, I brought a pen and a notebook. Listening to the Council members argue and debate was very different from what I first imagined. They were harsh on ideas, often criticizing and questioning proposals. I was intimidated by the constant questioning and re-examining as well as by the officialness of it all. The meeting had no delay and was swept along quickly by Mayor Hovland. The way they made big and small decisions seemed to be equal. Ellie and I stayed at the meeting for quite a long time. The meeting started at 19:00 and by the time we left it was 21:30. The meeting wasn't even over yet when we left. We decided that with school the next morning, it would be wise to get some sleep. Overall, I enjoyed my first experience in a City Council meeting because it was interesting to see how the elected officials in our community make important decisions and how the community also gets a voice.
5/7/14
On this day we met up at Ellie's house to have a research session. From 16:00 to 21:00 we researched honey bees. We learned about how major their impact really was on our society. Ellie and I learned about chemicals that have harmful effects on honey bees. We expected to only research the bad things that were happening to the honey bees and we did learn a lot about their struggle to survive and live in safe habitats but we were overjoyed to also learn about all the things organizations like The Beez Kneez are doing to help them. Ellie and I are hopeful for the future of honey bees!
5/15/14
Today was a big work day for Ellie and I. We polished our power point so that it was ready to be presented to the city council. I feel excited but also really nervous. It all seems so official. What will they say? Maybe they won't like our presentation at all. Maybe they will think of all sorts of loopholes we hadn't thought of. Ellie and I double checked our facts at least ten times. We wouldn't want to present false information to the mayor of Edina. I can't wait to be a part of the meeting in the evening on Tuesday May 20th, 2014. Our presentation is shaping up very nicely. We have a great proposal and I hope the council seriously considers it.
5/20/14
We presented! It went really well. I'm so glad that the Speak Up, Edina! presentation ended up being a fantastic Segway into our own presentation instead of making us sound repetitive and boring. We seemed to be well enjoyed by the audience. The applause was exciting. The council members seemed thrilled that we were standing up for this issue and participating in city council meetings as freshmen. The council asked great questions. We had all the answers and they were impressed. I think our presentation left a huge impact on the minds of the council members and the audience. I am so enthusiastic about it and I truly believe we can help the honey bees this way. It's amazing to know that even at only 15 years of age, I still have a voice in my community and in my government. If any council members are reading this, thank you so much for being so supportive! It has really made a difference to me. Special thanks to our Edina City Manager, Scott Neal, our Communications & Technology Services Director, Jennifer Bennerotte and Mayor Hovland for being especially helpful in making our presentation possible, giving us advice, and being so very welcoming!
5/27/14
Dietrich Nissen (Video Production Assistant) interviewed Ellie and I today! It was so exciting. Such a great opportunity to get out the word about honey bees. I was so anxious that I would say something wrong during the interview. Mr. Nissen made it easy and was open and relaxed the whole time which helped a lot. I can't wait to see what happens to this footage! He seemed pleased with our interviews. Because Ellie and I have AP Government on B days and not A days (our school runs on a two day block schedule), we pretended to be in Mr. Sigmunds A day class so that Mr. Nissen could get footage of us in class. The whole process was very exciting because it meant that someone was really interested in what we have to say. I think the interviews went well. It's definitely an exciting time for Ellie and I and we are happy to be making a difference in our community.
5/29/14
We interviewed Erin from the Beez Kneez today. We also got to see the workshop, which is the main place that they make the honey and jar it. It was such a cool workspace! We met Kristy Allen, who talked to us about how she started the organization, why she was interested in honey bees and what was so important about them. The Beez Kneez even invented their own bicycle powered honey extractor. By interviewing Erin, we learned a lot more about bees. One of the most interesting facts that I learned was that all worker honey bees are female. The male honey bees, called drones, don’t leave the hive and don’t do much at all. I was also amazed that honey bees keep their hives at around 90 degrees fahrenheit. Erin was so kind and welcoming! She was a pleasure to speak with. I feel an even deeper connection with honey bees now! Actually, when Ellie and I first started this project, I was afraid of bees and thought of them as a threat. Now that I know more about them, I don’t even flinch when they come near me! I’m really glad that I could have the opportunity to learn so much about these vital pollinators.