Sitting in Arlington Cemetery on a beautiful Memorial Day Monday surrounded by those whose dedication to service is awe-inspiring, I am struck by the commonality of all those remembered for their service to our country and the Truman Scholars in their dedication to public service. Although none of the 2011 Truman Scholars has given the ultimate sacrifice of our life in the service to others, their passion to serve others is something that is inspiring.

When I arrived in Liberty, Missouri for the Truman Scholar Leadership Week (TSLW) 2011, I was surrounded by some of the most incredible people I had ever met. So, needless to say, I was a little nervous. And yet, my pre-mature nervousness was instantly quelled by my fellow Trumans, through their humility and warm reception. Reflecting on the week I have found it divided into three parts: conversations, activities, and community.

Conversation: The conversations during TSLW were unparalleled and varied from the healthcare system to energy policy and economics. The depth of the Truman Scholars and their interests was amazing. My first conversation was with a scholar from California who had just re-enacted the Freedom Ride, retracing the 1961 rides from Washington, DC to New Orleans, LA. With forty other selected students he toured the country meeting civil rights activists and heard memories of their fight for equal rights. Another scholar and I discussed energy policy and his role in formulating Obama’s campaign strategy for energy. These conversations not only showed me the impressiveness of the students who were scholars, but allowed us to learn from one another’s passions and share our own. Whether it was investigating various religions (including Buddhism), or discussing the importance of food trucks, TSLW was alive with conversations that occurred deep into the night and early in the morning.

Activities: Throughout the week, our class was brought together by workshops, activities, and testimonials. We collaborated on some of the most difficult issues in the “Decision-Center” of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library, worked on group policies culminating in one group’s project of the Harry S. Loris Twitter and Facebook, learned about graduate programs from admissions counselors and how to finance one’s education, and heard senior scholars experiences in leadership and finding their identities. It was a week filled with a discovery of new paths and dismissal of previously held beliefs. As one speaker put it, we were put into a state of “constructive confusion.” At the end of the week many of the scholars shared their new friends with their family at the banquet and awards ceremony. At TSLW I was not only able to share the new friends I had made with my mother but I gained a new family, one brought together by shared aspirations for the future.

Community: The Truman Community is something that was previously unimaginable. It is a catalyst of some of the brightest minds in the country, who are not only some of the most achieving college students, but who are incredibly humble. During the week, our class grew as a community as we participated in service activities that included volunteering at a food bank, a free health clinic, a domestic violence center, and a homeless shelter. We played mafia at night, rolled down hills, raced on piggy back, ran in the early morning, and even had a dance. Now you may be wondering the dance expertise of the Truman scholars, but you would be very impressed with the ability of scholars to “Swang it” and do the “Dougie.” Also, doing the “slow loris” is something that will always be infamous to our class. I was also extremely impressed with our scholars when there were two tragedies: a scholar’s father passing away and a deadly tornado in the nearby town of Joplin. The scholars were always there for her to talk to as well as offer a comforting hug. One of the students proposed a group effort by the Truman Scholars to raise funds for the Joplin residents. Immediately the Trumans galvanized their ideas on how to best help the suffering community. The reaction to these two great heartbreaks evidenced the strength and solidarity of the 2011 class.

With guidance from our senior scholars, Tara Yglesias and Andy Kirk of the Truman Foundation, and Westbrook Murphy of the Foundation Board, I will forever cherish the week I had with my fellow Trumans. While we came from diverse backgrounds and large age ranges, our class instantly became a close family. Brought together by a common drive for service we, as one scholar commented were able to “find our people.”

Elizabeth Davis (MT ’11) is completing her final year at the University of Notre Dame.