Hi All,

We had a wonderful day over at Microsoft! Wow, so many great things happen when we do an IGNITE event. Many people meet and network with each other, and most importantly, young women start thinking bigger dreams, finding their vision for their future, and I get to see it each and every time. Thank you so much everyone for making this possible.

I want to thank our wonderful hosts for inviting us and making this day special. Thank you to Mylene Padolina, Janice Hunter, and Robin Grounds for taking care of us and our day and all the planning.

Thank you to the wonderful House of the Future team, Flora Goldthwaite (Program Manager - Prototyping and Strategy for House of the Future) and Janene Tenell, for welcoming us. Thank you Flora, for making this event and the tour special for us each and every time. It is obvious that you really care about the girls and take time and care to connect the technology so the girls really understand what they are seeing and how exciting it all is. You help them see themselves in the role of creating the future technology and for the first time they get it, they can do this and they are needed and wanted in this high tech world!! You are awesome Flora!! Thank you to Valerie Dodge, you gave an outstanding tour of the Office of the Future. The girls were just amazed at what they got to do and see. Thank you Valerie for caring and your dedication to IGNITE.

Thank you to Betsy Norton-Middaugh (Program Manager), Lindi Chatterton (MSN shopping), Marta Smith (Test Lead for IM), Cathy Moya (Technical Writer), Christina Olson (Lead International Site Manager), and Jenni French (Research Manager). You did such a wonderful job in connecting with the young women and creating a great discussion. It's the discussion that takes place where the girls get that time to ask questions and figure out what they want to know. It is so exciting for them. It is so hard to stop, everyone was not ready to go, we could have gone on for hours. Great energy and dedication from all the amazing IGNITE volunteers. It is clear to the girls how much they are getting our of this experience and they want more!! That is what you do, you create that energy each and every time! When young people get to hear the stories of women who went before them, they get a sense of confidence, they can see themselves doing it too, and it breaks all those barriers and myths that it is only meant for a few; they all have this potential. The light bulbs go on, and we can see that happening, These IGNITE events are uplifting experiences for everyone who attends.

Thank you to the great and wonderful teachers who are committed and dedicated IGNITE partners. Thank you to Liz MacLennan (Dept Chair for Business and Technology-Roosevelt HS, Dan Norton-Middaugh (Web Design and Technology teacher-Roosevelt HS), Nicole Samuels (Marketing and School Store-Roosevelt HS), Erin McKee (History Teacher-Cleveland HS), and Jae Agu (Dean of Students-Cleveland HS). Thank you for joining us at an IGNITE event and supporting the MISSION. and welcome to Jae Agu!!!

Here are the comments from the girls, we all look forward to this!!

• I liked pretty much everything today. Specifically seeing the future house. I wouldn't change anything, everything was fine the way it was.
• The most important thing today was the women and their stories.
• I liked the House of the Future. I also liked how we could interview the women who work here to learn about what they do everyday. I learned about so many opportunities. I think IGNITE events are really helpful.
• I wish we had a longer time at this event. I liked it a lot and it was really fun. I think it was interesting to learn that when the women were in high school the jobs that they are doing now did not exist.
• I liked that the lady didn't try and rush the tour. I learned a lot.
• I really enjoyed having the speakers sit and talk with us at the tables while we were eating. I got all my questions answered and I really appreciated that. I want to do a job shadow.
• I liked the tour of the House of the Future. I think the presenters did a really good job.
• I loved going to the Office of the Future and seeing what is coming in the future. Everything was very efficient and easy to use.
• The most interesting think that heard today was how we are progressing and how we're not going to stay in the same place. I saw a new laptop and that was amazing. I realized how interesting technology is.
• I liked today's event that explained everything and showed us how to use technologies. I also learned about certifications.
• I loved the Office of the Future, it was so cool. Everything was perfect.
• I really enjoyed seeing the Office of the Future. the only thing that bothered me is when the girls were disrespectful and talking and using their cell phones. I learned a lot and thought this trip was great.
• I liked using the computers. I learned about what testing is, and finding bugs, that was interesting. And I learned about Instant Messaging and how that is a job here.
• I liked the tour and how we could play with the stuff. I thought it was cool that they pay people to see if they can break the software. I think I would like that job. Great tour.
• I liked being able to talk to women a lot and I really enjoyed the House. I wish we had more time for everything. I thought it was interesting to learn that the jobs that exist today the women did not even know about. And that the jobs that will exist in the future are ones we do not even know about. They did not know what the jobs would be when they were in high school.
• I liked how everyone was nice and answered all our questions. And I liked the tour, I wish all of it was longer.
• I liked the House of the Future and the lady that took us there. I thought it was interesting that the materials they used were not expensive. I want to work at Microsoft in the future.
• I liked the future house and how far technology can bring you. It was very fun and interesting to learn what may be coming next. I want to do more IGNITE events.
• I really enjoyed the smart house. It would be great to do hands on stuff with technology.
• I like the smart house and how technology works in there. I liked the one-on-one talk with the women at lunch.
• I liked how the computer team had advanced technology and we were able to try it out. It was perfect. I went to the office of the future and It was great to see the future of meetings.
• I enjoyed the Office of the Future. It was great to get to try technology there. I liked the talking and discussion with the women.
• I liked the tour and playing with the computers.
• I loved the Future House, learning all the new possibilities of the future house. Everything was interesting. We ran out of time. I would do all IGNITE events in the future.
• I liked looking at the House of the Future. Know what people's houses may look like. I also liked hearing ideas of what others thought the future might look like.
• I liked all the new technology. I think that it was really cool. I want to learn more about Microsoft. I was cool to hear that all the stuff will be out soon and new technology will take its place.
• I got to try technology and that was fun. I learned everything that I wanted to learn.
• I loved hearing the speakers and what each one benefitted from working in technology.
• I liked how we could ask questions about working here and internships.
• I liked the new system that you guys showed us today. That was very great. I think that you guys showed us a pretty good view of technology.
• I thought learning about the new technology was cool. Seeing the future technology was exciting.

Thank you all for making it possible!!
Cathi
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