When I arrived at Bishop Ward High School I felt a little like a candidate running for president. One with secret service.

I'd rushed to the school in between other responsibilities squeezing in our CEF shoot for a couple of hours in the middle of the day. Stan Cramer had likely been there much earlier than expected. I was running late. Which was expected, I think.

When I arrived, I was immediately escorted to a private room. There was food, drink, an elaborate but not-so-high-tech laptop ensemble. A chair was set up in front of the laptop. A fake phone and a few strategically-placed plants.

I was not expecting the need for stealth. I was not expecting to be confined to this room. This command post. But I was in.

Since I'd already been secretly escorted into the secluded room, me needing to visit the ladies room was like asking to fly in bagels from the East coast. Patty Morrisey was my personal detail. She cracked open the door, peered out, held her hand inward toward me to make sure I didn't decide to push her out of the way and go running into the hallway. I had to wait. Students were in the hall. Then, finally, they weren't. The hallway was clear. We made a run for it.

Saying "run for it" is only a slight exaggeration. We walked very fast. And with a purpose. It makes me laugh to think about me sleuthing behind Patty as she made a beeline down the hall and around the corner to the ladies room.

Patty stood guard outside the small room while I freshened up. Then, I cracked the door, ever so slightly, and told Patty I was ready. She waved me back inside, tried to look casual as a few students walked past, and then she rushed me back through the hallway to command.

Just to clarify, Patty never once talked into her wrist to say anything about an eagle or fox, and she was not wearing an earpiece.

The next couple of hours were spent talking with students over Skype. Our laptop in our command center was one end, the library in the room right next door to command was the other end.  The students were told we were looking to hire summer help. They were told that we were somewhere far away. They were ushered in one at a time for their Skype interviews.

Stan Cramer and I took turns doing the interviews. At one point, someone made an announcement over the intercom. You should have seen Stan Cramer trying to cover for the fact that the student likely heard the announcement over the intercom in the library AND over the Skype feed. You know, since we were supposedly in another state.

Without giving too much away, this was the scene of our shoot for the video clips you'll see at Gaudeamus in the Fall. They will help drive home the message for why Catholic Education is so important. The interviews turned out great. You will smile, there is no doubt.

I hope you'll join us October 24th.