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it's obvious that isn't the case any longer. Each of these baristas will stand up for one another when the time comes for their performance, regardless of the competition. Win or lose, they are a family now, and the other's success is theirs as well. The Saturday evening party went on until the wee hours, dancing and singing and rejoicing. A result was a slow start on Sunday, with baristas in dark sunglasses trudging in from the street for the final day of DC Campus. They rallied though, and were attentive as the morning activity kicked off: This would be all about confidence building. Beginning with an exercise in which participants had to let themselves be completely vulnerable to their peers and trust that this openness would be both protected and respected, the baristas took part in a variety of activities designed to help them overcome fears in order to be stronger, more confident performers on stage. It was pointed out that to have won a national competition at all, these baristas have confidence down. Perhaps the best result of these exercises was to further solidify the bonds between them. It's true: The World Barista Championship is the biggest and most recognized of the coffee competitions under the WCE. That doesn't mean that the other competitions don't deserve the spotlight and reverence of the international coffee community, as well. I loved DC Campus for many, many reasons, but the fact that it serves as a forum in which the WLA and WCIGS competitors could be the superstars—the only superstars—is high among them. For that reason alone, DC Campus is truly one of the most creative, gratifying, and innovative events in the whole of the coffee world. Opposite page: At top, for the love of Greece! Stavros Lamprinidis, who won second place in the 2012 World Coffee In Good Spirits Championship, and Christos Loukakis, the 2011 World La e Art Champion—both of whom hail from Greece—a ended the DC Campus event to share their knowledge with this year's competitors. Below, Italian La e Art Champion Chiara Bergonzi worked with intensity at DC Campus, churning out drink a er drink as she perfected her pouring skills. This page: Though the streets throughout Milan are still hung with the traditional Italian street signs, the lively graffiti on just about every wall you see modernizes the look and feel of the city. LOUISVILLE... OUR NEW KENTUCKY HOME! f • Hundreds of our top-quality products ship FREE! • Same-day shipping on most ved orders received by 2 PM*. * Some restrictions apply ons • Instant Freight ght Rebates available ilable for qualifying g pallet purchases ases Transit Days 1 Day 2 Days 3 Days SHOP FOR YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS AT: WWW.BARISTAPROSHOP.COM • 866-PRO LATTE • www.baristamagazine.com 45