UP WITH PEOPLE Dear A2015: Keep your eyes, heart and mind open…you can sleep next year!
Alumni across the eras and globe offer advice to UWP’s newest family members When the members of Up with People Cast A2015 began their journey at the start of this year, they became part of a global family excited to share best wishes and advice with the newest Uppies. Facebook provided a perfect forum for this outpouring of insight and support, so when UWP invited FB friends to post messages to be read to the cast during an educational session on the use of social media, the response was terrific – practical, funny, timely, and above all, straight from the heart. We’ve shared some of them below, and we invite you to visit UWP’s Facebook page (facebook.com/upwithpeople) to leave your own message for the cast and crew of A2015. Associate producer and choreographer Ken Leist organizes the members of Cast A2015 for their offical cast photo. This cast has representives from 20 countries and has 108 members. Photo - Stephanie McCollister Cox
“Go get ‘em, Cast A. You are embarking on an experience that will stay with you for your life. Enjoy.” - JW
“Have a wonderful year. I know I had!” - TS
“Enjoy what you’re learning now because you will use it later for sure. Have fun and don’t forget to live your dream.” - MJV
“Your eyes, your mind and your heart, keep them open and enjoy! There will be tough times but you are what you make of it. Viva la Gente!” - CR
“Enjoy one of the most beautiful journeys y’all will ever go on! Welcome to the UWP Family!” - JJ
“Say ‘yes’ this year as much as possible! If the opportunity comes, take it. You can sleep next year!” - RT
“I went to my 20-year reunion for cast A94 this past summer. Take a look at the faces around you. In 20 days, they’ll be your best friends. In 20 years, they’ll be your family, your heart, and some of the most precious people in your life. Enjoy this time together.” - AWC
“From a former Cast A member to you newcomers to Cast A, ‘Keep your eye on the ball.’ If you don’t know what I’m talking about, ask a very OLD staff member! Have fun!” - ARFD
“Explore. Ask more questions than you answer. Soak it all in. Oh yeah... and represent us well.” - RP “Take it all in, Cast A. Especially the little things. Write it down, because it’s easy to forget the details as time passes. Take pictures, but don’t see your whole semester through your camera lens.” - RAS “Make sure to take a step back and appreciate all the incredible opportunities and experiences Up with People will give you–it can be a whirlwind most of the time!” - KB
UpBeat
Spring 2015
“You definitely should record as much as you can! Trust me, you will want to remember these moments again! However, be aware of the content you share on social media.” - HW “My favorite UWP words of wisdom came from Dale Penny. He told us, ‘ask more questions than you answer, and listen more than you talk!’ Still very good advice! Today, I think you might add, ‘make the most of your experiences and time with people, don’t allow social media to be a distraction!’’ - KCW “Well, I am a puddle of tears. Everything posted above is true. At the age of 64 I can tell you that my memories of UWP are golden and vivid, as are the life lessons learned. Nothing will compare in your life to this experience. Savor every minute. You are all family. Break a leg! Hugs to all” - ZB
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