Leah Kennedy (left) and instructor Sarahmaria Gomez work together on video blogs.

Leah Kennedy, of Dayton, Nev., knew her instructor, Sofia Javed, spoke several languages and had worked in Central Asia for the Peace Corps.  But until Kennedy walked into Javed’s room to turn in a story, she had no idea her instructor did Tae Bo in a bright pink workout shirt.
 
“I felt really awkward and told her to resume,” Kennedy said. 

Interactions like this one between instructors and cherubs can be uncomfortable, insightful or just plain funny. Many cherubs said they learned a lot from the instructors’ experiences and discovered that amazing journalists can also be just ordinary people. 

“I learned that it really is possible to come right out of college and be successful,” Julie Kliegman, of East Brunswick, N.J., said.   “Sarahmaria [Gomez] started her own business, and she’s in her 20s.  It’s inspiring.” 

One night at dinner, Kennedy noticed two instructors sitting at a table. After some debate, she decided to join them.

“I saw Bret Begun and David Weissman all alone, and I decided to pounce,” Kennedy said. “The instructors are probably the most interesting people at cherubs. Any chance you get to have a conversation with them, you take.” 

Kennedy said the instructors had varying reactions to the newcomer.   

“Some instructors were open to sharing their meal time,” Kennedy said. “Others were not so enthusiastic. Roger said, and I quote, ‘Cherubs sitting with instructors? What is this world coming to?’  That really helped my self-esteem.”

Despite the joking, Kennedy has no regrets.

“After it was over, I cracked up laughing,” Kennedy said. “I’m glad I sat there and tried to bridge the gap. I’m more confident now that I’ve talked to all these people I hold in really high esteem.”

Libby Henning, of Cincinnati, said she loved David Weissman and Sofia Javed’s “Nastytown” song, a parody of “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.

“It showed that they have a sense of humor and aren’t serious all the time,” Henning said.  “It’s important to bond with your instructors so you won’t be afraid to ask them questions.” 

After discussing the TV show “Gilmore Girls” with Javed, Shirley Gao, of Davis, Calif., also discovered that spending time with instructors can be like just hanging out with friends.

“It was hard for me to merge the Sofia who’s been to a billion countries with the Sofia who watches TV,” Gao said.  “I realized the instructors were easy to talk to and relatable.  In high school, it’s sometimes weird to be friends with your teachers.  That’s not the case here.”