Hello Megan, John, and Corrina
Thank you very much for your generosity in hosting us this past
weekend.
We had an absolutely fantastic time.
Andy and Tiffany went 4-3. Ben and David lost in a close break round.
Annabelle and Jonathan, our frosh, are, as I say, “building and growing.”
That is a decent showing for a younger group of debaters at a fairly
competitive national circuit tournament.
The buffet was absolutely delicious; the rooms were exquisite. The
savings to our program were huge in a tight budget year.
We are truly, truly blessed with your kindness.
I hope you enjoy the notes from the students intermixed with the
pictures I took below. J
The Team Checking in to the Bellagio
Annabelle
FROM ANNABELLE: The rooms were nicer than any I've
ever stayed in, let alone during a debate tournament. I also liked that we were
right in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, which I'd never seen before. Not to
mention the buffet was awesome.
FROM BEN: I’m really lucky to be able to stay
at the Bellagio. I really wanted to say thank you because it was so much fun
and I am so appreciative. The Bellagio is a beautiful hotel; the architecture
and careful attention to detail really bring out a feeling of inspiration.
Thank you.
David and Ben
Tiffany, Andy, Jonathan
Jim J
Front left to right:
Tiffany and Annabelle
Back left to right: Ben,
Andy, David, Jonathan
Jim and Ali (former Whitman debater) tour the Bellagio Botanical Garden
Ali, former team member, smiles
for the camera. She loved it!
Jim in his typically
fashionable clothing (yes, that is a mouse moving and
clicking a human). J
Jim’s Shots of the Lobby and Fountains at Night
J
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Above: Tiffany and Andy
FROM
TIFFANY: Thank ya'll so much for letting us
stay in the Bellagio! It was so nice to go to a comfy, clean bed after rounds.
The hotel was just a great place. Thanks again! --Tiffany
FROM ANDY: I loved being able to get a good
night’s rest in a spectacularly nice and luxurious hotel. I enjoyed being able to eat from the finest
kitchens in Vegas. And I loved the view
of the fountain, it has impressed me again this year.
Jim heads to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the new O’Callaghan-Tilman Bridge across the Colorado River
FROM AARON: Staying at the Bellagio was great.
It's such a step above the rest of the mediocre hotels we could stay at that
it's a nice break. It’s also 'pretty cool to be the envy of all the rest of the
teams at the tournament. Not to mention - in-house Cirque du Soleil!
(Aaron
and Alicia went to the show and loved it. Sorry, no pictures
of Aaron.)
More of the Bellagio Botanical Gardens and the Chocolate ‘Waterfalls’
The Fountains at Night
The Team does the Buffet!
Andy,
guest Alicia (former coach-judge for the team), David, and Ben.
Ben, Andy, David
Left
from the front: Alicia, Annabelle, Tiffany
Right
side from the front: Andy, David, Ben, Jonathan
FROM JONATHAN: I enjoyed the buffet, the level of
comfort that the hotel provided, and the ability to see an awesome fountain
show every night.
FROM DAVID: I had a wonderful time at the
Bellagio, and I'll never forget it. The
fountain, the buffet, and the hotel in general make for an unforgettable
experience that only one debate team in the country gets to experience. It's a great reward and validation of all the
work we do, and really re-energized me for the rest of the season. Thanks so much!