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‘Twas the weekend of TYCA and Ricks made a plan To sponsor those willing to load up a van. The baggage was packed in the back with great care. Six colleagues were loaded, with laptops to share.
Each teacher then nested right down in the seat In hopes that the conference would be a good treat. Departure was early, the dark did preside, But each one left Rexburg prepared for the ride.
Jim Papworth was driving, a "distinguished" fine soul. He started them southward t'ward Reno, the goal. Then what to all wondering eyes should appear, But two more Ricks colleagues to join the affair.
With a swing down the off-ramp, so lively and quick The last two were loaded, efficient, and slick. The moon on the crest of the new fallen dew, Gave a chill, but a perfectly beautiful view.
So onward they traveled, no word they did speak, For those who weren't reading, were snoring in sleep. By noon in full daylight, they stopped for a meal. By then, Health food Murray was giving his spill.
"Now Rita, Anita, John, William, and Jill (Joelle carried goose bumps, a full-fledged fall chill), Now Susan, remember, keep meat portions small-- Now eat away, eat away, eat away all!"
The quiet day passed, while those on the ride Planned lessons, marked papers, read, wrote or just signed The travel continued to Reno by six, And as they unloaded, their clocks they did fix.
The check-in was simple--took limited time. So after refreshing, they're ready to dine. John knew of a place--the Atlantis buffet, Where everyone shared a nice end to a day.
Then off to the bedrooms went all but a few Who looked for a place for a workout to do. A sauna was found, and a work room with weights, But no one stayed long since the hour was late.
Morning came early, TYCA conference began, William gave leadership as Ricks College fan. Three others rehearsed a laptop review Of the morrow's assignment as Ricks College crew.
Multicultural methods were shared by Joelle (William presented Critical Thinking as well). Susan showed teaching " Different Learning-enabled". Mary Lu presented--a learn-computer table.
Group meetings went smoothly as meetings can be. The Key speaker focused on--Literacy. This theme spread in sessions to many directions, Of gender, disabled, and electronics discussions.
Attendance included, six states in the quota-- California, Nevada, Arizona, North Dakota, And Utah, of course, had the most in their set, Since UVSC has the National rep.
The Ricks College envoy was one to applaud, Both those who attended and a speech sent from Rod. Rod's work from past years helped TYCA rejoice, By giving Two-year Colleges significant voice.
Unable to go, Rod sent his goodbyes, In a speech read by William ‘bout seeing with eyes. His point was to be involved in the seeing, Past nor mal perception of students well-being.
Now William continues his leadership to offer, To TYCA and us, so professionally we prosper. John was elected to a special committee With interstate tasks and representing our city.
So the conference wound down on a positive note. The morning would bring the returning of folk. One last evening together was all that remained. ‘Twas then something happened to earn worldly disdain.
With the whole night before them, Ricks group shook their heads "We can't wait for bedtime," is all that they said. Waste an evening in Reno-are you out of your minds? The top ten of hot spots and NO ONE can find. . .
Even one? Yes, in RENO--one place they could go. No vision of anything they yearned to know. Stuck together in Reno, this group searched in vain For one worthy program to see without shame.
They all did agreed on the need to be fed, But beyond that no vision of fun could be led. No movie, no night club could merit their time. No slot machine earned even one of their dimes.
They first crashed a food store to lay in supplies For food-on-the-road between naps and long sighs. A straight-through drive home, was what was preferred Midterm pushed the group to no extras incur.
After loading the cooler, with things they had bought Their attention for supper was next what they sought. A baffled cottail waitress saw each one was fed. But as they walked out, she was shaking her head.
For not one left a tip for alcohol used. Not one needed coffee. The girl was confused. With a table like that, the poor waitress lost dough. But who can deny, Ricks colleagues were so.
A whole night before them, not one could get fired. ‘Bout visiting a hot spot. They all were too tired. Stuck together in Reno, this group could not find, Even one worthy program to clutter their minds.
By now night lights beckoned. The streets had a glimmer, But the chance for excitement grew slimmer and slimmer. Even fed, they did not want one plot to untwine, They drove around lost until about nine.
William stopped the van in a big parking row, So the group could watch lights give Atlantis a glow. Then contented they left, all nodding their heads At 10 o'clock-- Reno, they wanted a BED.
The desire prevailed to get home off the rode . . . fit back into pressures of regular load. Who could explain such an atricity? Only from Ricks could such a thing be.
On the very next morn, the group left at five . . .read, write, sigh or snore . . . seeming barely alive, Especially Joelle whose coat covered her hunch. She even slept through her breakfast and lunch
.
By noon the group rallied, they're making good time. Mary Lu had begun to write down this dumb rhyme Jill's eyes left her book when asked ‘bout her mission. All in the back were happy to listen,
While Murray was mumbling ‘bout his late nite dash Where birds megaphoned his sauna/pool splash, Susan plunged into a full conference review And rehashed ideas that seemed to be new.
Somewhere on the road, someone put in a tape, So scriptures were followed by all who're awake. William and Jim took turns with the driving Rita passed food. They seemed to be thriving.
And then something happened, the ride seemed too slow, "Without gas," Jim announced, "The van will not go." The last hill too big . . . forced to pull to the side, Jim hopped out his door to hitch hike a ride.
But Heaven was mindful of this needy group, For the very next car pulled in front of the troop, Jim climbed in the car and started toward town, But the car stopped immediately, turning around.
Believe it or not. . . that car that had passed. Had in its possession, an extra of gas. Minutes later the group was well on its way, And finished their ride with no other delay.
The goodbyes were scattered as collegues dispersed And comments were made ‘bout the conference's girth. And that's when this poem was logged down in my book, Recording the things from the trip that we took.
Those attending agreed new ideas had birth, But professionalism is what was of worth. We bonded in purpose while broadening our view Of how we compare with what others can do.
To view from anew, the differences we share, Yet feel the commordary from those whom we care. . . ‘Tis hard to explain in the report that we'll make But fair claim indeed, TYCA's Conference was great.