5th P.A.S.T.A.

It's hard to imagine, yet alone understand where we all were a few weeks before. It's hard to comprehend what kind of people we were before we left for the United States. Looking back at Orientation, realising that only 6 weeks before take off we decided together to change for a common positive. This did, this will help us all. We realise, in a short period, we can make a significant difference, a difference in ourselves and in others. We all realise now we can change and be the leaders of tomorrow, without forgetting that we are also the leaders of our today. The memories we share, the lessons we have learnt together as a group, those memories and lessons will never be forgotten. It's so satisfying knowing that we have so much of our lives ahead of us: to change, teach and lead a better future for all.

Being at Sydney airport for 6 am was hard for most. However, the words of wisdom and Aussie patriotism from P.A.S.T.A. advisers, from parents, and from the ex-delegates who had come to support our 2002 team were very moving. The 5th Tour 'POME' - now an inescapable tradition - was read by several.

All we new delegates were anxious, apprehensive and excited at the same time. Our two Tasmanian and one South Coast NSW delegate had not met the delegation before. In a matter of minutes they were mingling with all the delegates easily. There was a lot of emotion and a few last minute pointers. I remember so clearly hearing some say "I can't do this." I'm so proud of them now because they did it so well.

We felt exceptional. We knew everyone was looking at us, trying to read that small print on the back of our official tour shirts to see who and what we were representing. We all knew everyone was looking. Our first taste of attention. We all knew there was a lot more to come in the next month, but the group dynamics seemed to be working so well. Like the month ahead, we were having such a great time. Together.

Fresh off the plane. The first of many times we wait for our suitcases to roll out onto the conveyor belt. Most delegates starting to feel tired. Some hadn't slept at all on the plane. Too excited. Will never forget the first predicament of 'water'. Trying to explain in our thick Australian accents that we want "wartah". Our first 'American' experience. Gathered together outside the hotel and had the first group photo. So many more to come! A tour of LA and Hollywood followed. The day was spent bonding as a group.

Early morning wake up call. Leaving LA on an early flight didn't allow for the long night sleep that so many of us needed. It was a smooth transition to our layover flight in Chicago, then, approaching Norfolk Virginia we were leaning out of our seats to view the perfect little town below us. All the houses were neat and the streets so organised. Comments were made: "They look like dolls houses." We all wanted to live in one of those perfect houses, and so we all did.

At Ruffner Middle School the students showed us around their high-tech, modern classrooms. We had never seen any of these facilities, in some cases never even dreamed of what they had. The Aussies were so impressed. Over the next few days we all participated in the activities that Ruffner had organised for us: Norfolk US Navy Base, a day trip around Colonial Williamsburg, picnics, shopping at the local mall and an Arena Football (gridiron style) game. On Sunday we were welcomed to the family church.

Ruffner also organised, for them and us, one very full day in Washington DC, looking around the powerful city and taking in as much as we could. The White House was closed to visitors, but a tour of the Capitol Building was enjoyed thoroughly. That night we had a long night swimming in the hotel pool, getting to know each other so well and bonding with the Ruffner Students. The goodbyes to our host families were tough.

We had been briefed and reminded over and over again, trying to prepare us for how amazing this week would be. Nothing prepared us for what we experienced. When we pulled up to the school and saw all the students out front waving signs and cheering, we knew this would be unforgettable. Huge. The Ocean Lakes High School scene was electric. The school was pristine and spotless, the school effort immense. NASC signs cluttered the halls. Many flocked to come, see and talk to the Australians. Everywhere there was the 66th NASC Conference Theme: "Oceans of Leaders, Waves of Success".

Nothing surprised us more than that first General Session - 2000 crazy, motivated and loud teenage leaders cramming the gym to listen and interact with talented motivational speakers

At the end of our first Conference day we met our host families. Many shared families, with up to seven delegates in one house.

Over the next week we attended and ran workshops. The five Aussie ones ran fine. Other workshops we attended were well presented and provided us with a range of knowledge and questions we could later pose for our own student councils at home. Group discussion was encouraged. Days were crammed with skits and performances, exhibits, an abundance of highly motivated people cheering and dancing around the halls. There was a flag ceremony aboard the USS Kearsage, a visit to Busch Gardens Amusement Park, a beach party on the famous Virginia Beach and a concert at a local sports ground.

As well as these activities, there were serious deeds to be done. The community service project was liberating, making bat boxes for the Virginia Beach bats. The bats manage every night to eat thousands of mosquitoes. The local council were looking at ways to get rid of these mosquitoes, so making it a friendlier place for the bats to live was the answer. 2000 of us made close to 400 bat boxes to help the Virginia Beach environment.

The traditional candle lighting ceremony was heart rendering. All the delegates, advisors and staff of NASC 2002 lit a candle to symbolise the love of their country and to recognise their freedom. The Australian delegates thought this was the best moment to thank Advisers Ken and Ellen for all their hard work and effort. We presented each of them with a special NASC 2002 painting. And our thanks.

Outside Ocean Lakes High we were greeted by New Jerseyians, who had organised this next leg of the trip. Most of us were wary, wondering if the road trip would live up to the excitement of the Conference. But Didi's bus was astounding, a brand new coach that was more like a first class plane.

We travelled through more states than most American citizens have. North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana. The South was full of heritage. We had the opportunity to visit and tour Charleston, and Ft Sumter, where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired. And, of course, have a traditional ghost tour of Charleston, and a look at the historic homes of Savannah. We ate a traditional dinner at the Sticky Fingers BBQ. "Only in America!"

In Atlanta, Rockdale High was our third host school. We tried our tastebuds on new and exotic flavours of soft drink at the Coca-Cola Museum. We went to an Atlanta Braves professional 'Big League' baseball game.

We woke up early for the 4th of July celebrations at Stone Mountain Georgia. Though it commemorates Confederate Civil War leaders, Stone Mountain is nowadays common ground for all those in need of celebrating American Independence. So we bared the heat and humidity to join 20,000 people there. Patriotism was in the air. For we Australians it was very interesting to be around for all these special celebrations.

Many of us slept until we got to Alabama. Evening Mobile activities were a walk through tour of the USS ALABAMA. The next day was New Orleans, Louisiana and the streets were packed. We stopped at 'Mardi Gras World' to see how floats and costumes are made for each year's Carnival celebrations. We toured the French Quarter, had a quick bite to eat at CafÈ Du Monde, where we tried beignets, a French-style square doughnut covered in powdered sugar. We had our last group 'tranquillity' together, something our New Jersey friends had by then instilled in us as a welcome nightly ritual.

In Reno Nevada everyone was a little hyper to know what the leadership camp would be like. Most were hoping for a similar experience to what we had had in Virginia Beach. Next day we Aussies were the first at the airport to meet the 'JCs' - Junior Councillors. They made us feel very welcome and were so talkative.

We were disappointed with the first feeling of camp. Like most first judgements, we were very wrong. The high mountain grounds were beautiful. And, as for our councils, the smaller groups of people with whom you spend 80% of your time, well, they proved to be in the end the best friends we made whilst in the United States. This national leadership camp was amazing, focusing more on personal reflection and discovery, a little toned-down compared to the high-powered Conference. NLC turned out to be very relaxing, and personally, the greatest time I have ever had. When the NLC Lake Tahoe experience was over we were all so thankful that we had made the friends and had realised so much more about ourselves. Hopefully one day we can return the favour.

In Hawaii, at the end of the tour debriefing we all reflected on what we had learnt and experienced over the previous month. We set down want we wanted to achieve once back in Australia. Many kind words were spoken and we were all so thankful that we had such a wonderful group to share it with. Every delegate is so thankful for the amount of time and effort that Ken, Ellen, Charles, Sue and many others have put into our 2002 trip. What we have will never be forgotten and we will continue to influence others to join and experience what we have over that intense month.

On behalf of all delegates on this 5th Australian Overseas SRC Leadership Tour, our families, and the schools and students we represented