Computer Clubhouse 16th Anniversary Party
Last week marked the 16th Anniversary of the Computer Clubhouse Network, this is a great milestone for all of us associated with the Clubhouse Network. Since its founding in 1993, we have grown from 1 Clubhouse to over 100 Clubhouses located all over the world. We have reached locations as far away as South Africa and New Zealand, impacting thousands of lives all over the globe. This year we continued our annual tradition of purchasing a computer cake, showing off some great member work, and inviting all of our friends, mentors, members, and their families. We had a great showing of guests and we all enjoyed a lot of great conversations and company.
As soon as you entered the Computer Clubhouse you were greeted at the registration table, but something unique this year was the demoing of our ‘graffiti’ wall; which was set up at our entrance and allowed everyone to take part in a hands on experience immediately. Which is a true testament to the mentality of our Network, and how we support hands on learning and experience. Once they headed down to the Clubhouse everyone was able to help themselves to some drinks and snacks. It was a very relaxed celebration, where current members and alumni got to sit down at computers and show off some of the software and projects they have been working on. There was a terrific demo of some augmented reality set up, that everyone seemed to get a kick out of as well.
Once we had a fairly full Clubhouse we began the ‘formal’ portion of our celebration where Gail, Computer Clubhouse Director, gave her speech thanking all of our staff, friends, mentors, and especially our members for all they have contributed to our Network. It was great to recognize how great of an accomplishment it is to have been around for so long, and have affected so many lives. After a harmonious singing of ‘Happy Birthday’ by all, we cut into our beautiful and delicious computer cake, and dug right in. By the end of the night, there was just a tiny bit of keyboard and monitor left.
After a few more conversations, and a raffling of some Harry Potter exhibition tickets, the night had come to a close. It was yet another successful celebration of a job well done and milestone for all of us. We also managed to capture some great video footage of our anniversary party, which I will post up here on the blog once it makes its way through our editing software in the Clubhouse by some of our alumni and members.
On Behalf of the rest of the Network Staff, I would like to extend a sincere thank you for all of you alumni, mentors, coordinators, and especially to all of our current members for allowing us to do what we do and make the impact on communities we have been making for the past 16 years. Here is to another 16 years of exploring, developing, and using technology to help express ourselves.
For more photos go to:
http://www.clubhousevillage.org/photo_albums/show/6701
-Nick Huertas
Alumni Coordinator
