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Meanwhile, students from Ronald Harvey Elementary School
in St. Albert, Alberta and Marcellin-Champagnat, Iberville, Quebec
joined the events by satellite to showcase their hi-tech projects.
Bill Gates told the crowd that education "is the single
most important use of technology". He noted that "GrassRoots
is a great example of how to help educators use technology to
enable more dynamic interaction with students, parents and the
connected community."
Here, the students from Thomas Street share their thoughts
on "A Day with Bill Gates".
By Patrick Henderson,
Thomas Street Public School
Mississauga, Ontario
On Thursday, October 15th 1998, I went into Toronto to meet
Bill Gates. I was excited, nervous and scared all at the same
time. I tried not to think about it hoping these feelings would
go away.
I went with two other students from Thomas Street Public School.
They were in my class last year, when Mr. Price was our teacher.
I wondered if they felt the same way.
We went downtown to the Crown Plaza Hotel in Mr. Price's car.
When we got to the hotel we went to the front desk and they
told us where we had to go. We were greeted by a person from
the SchoolNet Grassroots program and she told us what we were
to do. We did a couple of practices and then we heard them practicing
with the microphones. I was wondering when Mr. Gates was going
to arrive. The television station, CTV, interviewed us. I was
still very nervous.
Lunchtime came and I didn't like anything that they had to
offer. All of the sandwiches had vegetables on them and so I
wouldn't eat them. A lady who was helping us took me to the store
and I bought some Crunch and Munch for lunch.
We returned to the room and watched a video of a class from
Quebec. They spoke in French, so I didn't understand them. Finally,
Bill Gates showed up and they led us to a door where they wired
everyone to a microphone. We went into the room and sat at a
table, where we would show our web site.
After some speeches, we were introduced and we gave our presentation
one by one to Mr. Gates and the crowd. I got really nervous,
but I stayed calm. After the presentations the questions started.
A lot of lights were flashing in my face because of all the
cameras and there were many bright lights. It was cool!
When Mr. Gates left the reporters had lots of questions for
us again. I got to shake hands with Mr. Gates. My mother was
hoping we might get a personal computer or something, but instead
I got a handshake and a T-shirt. It was still cool!
That night we spent the evening watching the news reports
to see if I made the television. I did!
I had fun that day and when people talk about Bill Gates,
I will be able to say "I met that guy!"
By Sharon Choy
Thomas Street Public School
Mississauga, Ontario
The day we went to the Crown Plaza Hotel was very exciting.
When we got there, there were a few camera stands set up.
Beth and Joanne, the two people that helped to put the event
together and came to our school, showed us where to sit and where
Bill Gates, Minister Manley, and Simon Witts were going to sit.
We had a practice run a few times, and before I knew it, it was
lunch.
After lunch, Bill Gates, Minister Manley and Simon Witts met
us and said hello. We shook hands and then went in for the press
conference. Before we went on, the three gentlemen said some
words.
When it was our turn, Mr. Gates and the other gentlemen came
and stood behind where we were demonstrating our web site. There
was a swarm of video cameras, photographers and reporters from
the newspapers. Alex, Patrick and I just showed what we had done
on the project. When I was showing my part of the project, I
wasn't as nervous as giving a speech in front of my classmates.
The funny thing was when I told the reporters that Egyptian
food was mainly, barley, bread and beer, everybody laughed and
somebody said, "Some things never change!"
Overall, everything was very exciting, meeting Bill Gates
and being on the media. I had a great time, but I was glad when
it was all over.
By Alexandra Terpoy
Thomas Street Public School
Mississauga, Ontario
It was very exciting to hear I was going to meet Bill Gates.
Bill Gates? The name sounded familiar. I had heard it somewhere
before. But where? After I remembered that he was the creator
of Microsoft and a computer genius, I couldn't wait to meet him.
The best part of the day was meeting him backstage. He was
very interested in what I had to say and made me feel important,
especially when he was watching me demonstrate our web site.
I was very proud of myself when my family, friends and neighbours,
and even my dentist, said they had seen me on T.V. next to Bill
Gates.
This was an experience I will never forget. I have cut out
some of the articles from the newspaper to help me remember this
special event. |
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