Welcome to my picture site from the 2006 LeadAmerica CSI and Forensics Conference. I had an absolutely amazing time, and I'm sure that I was not the only one. For all those who have not yet participated in a LeadAmerica program, I highly suggest that you do so. You not only learn about how to become a leader or get a valuable experience in a particular area of interest, but you have a lot of fun making new friends and getting a taste of how it is to be independent. If you are interested, please visit the LeadAmerica link on my webpage, or contact me to find out about how you can be nominated (I am able to nominate people, as are any other LeadAmerica Alumni).

This conference was held at Bentley College in Waltham, MA from Friday, July 14, 2006 to Sunday, July 23, 2006. I learned a lot about crime scene investigation and forensics through extensive lectures, many labs that allowed us to use the professional items that the actual professionals use every day, and through a simulation that involved a murder case and required us to figure out who committed the crime. And not only did I learn about forensics, but I learned more about friendship, leadership, and teamwork. So yeah, you may think you know about how to be an effective leader or how to work as a team...but a conference such as this forces you to experience these things. Altogether, I discovered what type of leader I am, and I learned how to become close to a group of people.

So enough with my talking...on with the pictures! And by the way, if you have any pictures that you would like me to post, please let me know. The updates will be placed above this "welcome" paragraph thingy. Thanks, and enjoy!

-Kathryn

This is Nate. He is Group B's TL. TL means "Team Leader", and I heard it's one of the best summer jobs out there. (And damn...gotta love the aviators...)

 

"From the North, to the South, to the East, to the West: We are the Apple Bees, and we are the best! So, we're sorry that we have to say: Forget all y'all, and have a nice day!"
Here's our group...Group B. Our TL is Nate, who happens to be taking the picture right now. I'd say that during the course of the 10 days, we became a tight-nit group with a strong bond...as Nate once said, it is amazing how the office randomly placed us all in one group together. And although we had our rough times, we learned through Fully Value to work together, and to come together as a team, and a family. 

In order to get to know each other better as a group, we decided to eat meals together...and during each meal, we would try to learn stuff about each other. From left to right: Chris, Keough, and Jessica 

Nate and Sam

 

We got really close as a group of people...we were like family. We named our team the Apple Bees because we were Group B, and we used an apple to help moderate our discussions. Since we were an outgoing group, everyone wanted to talk at the same time. So during one of our very first meetings, we picked up someone's apple, and said that whoever was holding the apple at the time was the person we had to pay attention to. And thus, the name, Apple Bees. 

Jersey and Megan, on the bus, going sompleace...we just got completely drenched, as you can see...and btw, Jersey's real name is Emily...we call her Jersey b/c she's from Jersey (calling certain ppl the name of their state is common at conferences like these, i guess...)

 

Team bonding, as we wait for the bus to go to an off-site location. From left to right: Dani, Keough (red shirt), Sam (on the ground), Jersey, Koral, me, Erin, and Stephanie

 

Keough, Nikita, and Jersey...a little too much team bonding, maybe?

 

This is Sam...he's my brother from another mother. Actually, I call him my brother soley because we have the last name...but I can truthfully say that I have never personally met another Abbott outside of my own family (ha, which reminds me...Nate assumed that we were brother and sister since we sat right next to each other on the second night of the conference, when we split up into our groups). 

Our MC for the LeadAmerica Conference, Trey

 

Justin and Erin, ready for the talent show to start (And for those wondering why he is dressed up like a girl...keep reading down...heh).

 

Nate, as Sporty Spice Wow...all I can think about is how we raced outside and around the building to get into the backstage area in order to not be seen by people...and Tahina was outside on her cell phone...and how she said "OMG, what are you guys...HOLY S**T NATE...oh man, I did not see that I did not see that...you guys are so f***ed..."

 

Ha, Chris definately had the most balls to be the guy to wear the full out dress. Woot. And yes, we are all in the men's bathroom, dressing the guys...the other TL's had no idea what was going on, but nonetheless kept people from coming down the hallway while getting them ready. 

From left to right: Nate as Sporty Spice, Chris as Baby Spice, Keough as Ginger Spice, Justin as Scary Spice, and Sam as Posh Spice. First of all, I give mad props to these guys for willingly dressing up in drag to do a lip sync Spice Girls Routine to Wannabe. Kudos to Erin (not pictured) who choreographed the routine for them, to Katie who was our computer tech for the music, and Stephanie who was our gracious MC for the routine. So for those who are wondering why these guys are doing this? Well, it was our group's talent show skit that we voluntarily chose to perform...We spent an entire day going over the lip syncing, finding clothes that would fit these guys, convincing the guys to put the clothes on, and then teaching them how to dance like chicks. Great group bonding time, let me tell you...and the crowd LOVED it. I would just like to point out that Sam is wearing my skirt, that Justin was the best girly girl, that Keough lost his man card BIG TIME for this one, that the dress on Chris really accentuates his curves, and that Nate has the best boobs. And btw, both Nate and Justin shaved their legs to do this (but keep in mind, they shave their legs for sports sometimes). 

The Apple Bees' very own sexy Spice Girls...yes Keough, you definately lost your man card on this one

 

Kyle, a kid from another group, doing a marvelous impression of Nate as John Smith...the only thing he got wrong was putting hair on the chest, because Nate shaves his chest and legs (i assume for swimming or track or something)

 

Me, singing and dancing to "Come On Eileen" at the talent show

 

Erin dancing at the talent show

 

The TL guys (Sean, Gary, Trey, and Nate) doing their "Bohemian Rhapsody" dance routine at the end of the talent show. Trey was definately the most coordinated out of all of them, which proves that having 10 years of dance (jazz and tap, i believe) under your belt is definately a great skill to have if you want to become a TL yourself

 

Erik and Nate, with the badass shades...

 

Our TLs...Nate and Tahina outside the flower shop right by the Boston Harbor. When I look at this picture of Nate, all I can think of is the song that goes "I'm too sexy for your love, too sexy for your love, love's going to leave..." and how Erik busted out his moves to this song at the talent show as his impression of Nate..heh.

 

This is Jack and...oh wow...I am sooooooo sorry, but I cannot remember he name at all. I know Jack because he's Sam's roommate 

This is a picture from Erik. He is a very crazy man. It was his idea to attack Nate and Trey with pillows on the last day, and has a battle wound that proves the tale true (mad props for that one). Oh, and he kicks a lot of ass.  

Candid of Erik in "Thinking Mode"

 

It's pizza time! Special thanks to T^2 on this (Tahina and Trey)