Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Elan School => Topic started by: Pete on December 14, 2004, 04:50:00 PM
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... was Christmas 1994 in Elan. Chrysta and Emily were there and will remember it.
In December 1994, two well-meaning kids named Mark Seiler and Robert Page-Auger created a petition for no encounter groups on Concept Christmas. Many individuals, including me, agreed with and signed the petition. Just before we began opening gifts during a holiday thus far adequately supplied with Christmas spirit (considering where we were), they actually had the nerve to stand us all up and yell at us for signing the petition because "this is not a democracy." Then because they were really in a giving Christmas mood, they shot Mark and Rob down. But more than anything, they zapped the happiness and spirit out of Christmas. Even then, I truly felt the staff behaved like a pack of Scrooges. I still do today.
It was never the same. No longer, as in past years (like '93, when I was there) did they deal with the book in front of the house at Christmas and keep yelling out of concept. No longer did we stay up till midnight on New Year's Eve and watch the ball drop on TV (we weren't even allowed to say Happy New Year at midnight). It was at that point that Elan started to become less like a place of growth and more like an institution. And although Elan helped me a great deal, I always thought they handled the holidays miserably and I always felt institutionalized on Christmas. Fortunately, the following year, I went home. After '93, there really was no Christmas in Elan. Concept Christmas wasn't on the actual day, yet on the actual day, the Christmas traditions never took place. To be honest, it was deeply depressing.
To this day, I treasure my freedom at Christmas, which is tied with Election Day for my favorite holiday.
Pete
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i remember rob page auger. he was one of those truley genuine nice people. i really liked him. i talked to him about a year ago or so tom peters gave me his number. we had said we were going to meet up but we never did. it's people like that i miss
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oh my god, if anyone knows how to get in touch with that kid let me know...i miss him! as for the xmas thing.....god pete, you remember soooooooo much, I only wish I had half that memory. Christmas in Elan definately sucked, but you know what, I put myself there and those types of xmas' make today's with my husband and three kids that much more special.
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during my time we had concept Xmas and little or no V.r's were administered. New years eve was casino night and we were able to watch the ball drop and say and celebrate happy new year. they also (Elan) provided sparkling cider for the entire house.
It still was a depressing moment being their for the hoildays but from what you said Pete it sounds like it really tunred to shit.
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this is just fucking pathetic. merry concept christmas. merry concept chanuckah, did they ever have that? merry concept kwanza? ramadam? fucking savages.
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dude, you are way to deep, or weird to get.....no offense. Id like to. I just dont follow you. Not on this post necessarily....in general. YOu sound smart though....(talking to Mr Pink)
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ohhh i would love to see whats rob's up to kell if you know how hes doin let me know. He was a funny dude
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kelley
what happened to kids like Steve thompkins, Rusty Swift, Jeremy Fortin Etc. I could go on forever. Fill me in!!
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LOL, Steve thompkins and Jeremy Fortin. I knew them. Don't know where they are now though. Guess that did a lot of good.
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I am one who really feels I got a great deal out of Elan, however, they never were respectful of my relious bliefs. Yom Kippur which is the one of the most holy days for Jewish people. I had gotten permission before hand to go to temple on that day. My coordinator didn't pass up the trip form in time. It was the day of the bowling trip. I asked to be left behind because I didn't feel right going bowling on such a holy day. I was given two options, I could go bowling or go in the corner at E-3. I started crying because I felt it was so unfair. I was demoted and told to "grow up." I felt it was unfair, and I hope they don't make that mistake in the future.
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rob was engaged (i think). god i just remembered rusty swift. that kid was so damb goofy he used to crack me up. I've only talked to jeremy fortin once since i left and that was about 6 years ago so i have no idea how he is doing. i'll try to get robs info tho and get it to ya. im sure he would love to hear from you.