FastForward Reporters Visit Facebook's Headquarters
OnLocation: November 2013
By Kayla Augustine, Pierce Freeman, Matt Geffen, Victoria Gioia, John Hassen, Michaela Hebert, Scott Hogan, Jeremy Ivory-Chambers, Carissa Lee, Morgan Lorenz, Ethan McKeague, Sam Newsome, Olivia Malek, Rachel Metzger, Talia Rizzo, Christa Schmitt, Ethan Singleton, Lacey Slattery, Arthur Weschler, Mary Winnick, Burke Wynne and Wheeler Young from Bay, Bayview of San Rafael, Branson, Davidson Middle, Marin Academy, Marin Catholic, Marin Horizon, Redwood High, San Domenico, Sir Francis Drake High, Saint Rita, White Hill Middle and Saint Ignatius College Preparatory Schools
Walking down the never-ending main street, we think we’re in Disneyland on our way to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Flanked by buildings on either side, a thin, paved black concrete path cuts through a neatly manicured lawn. A BBQ shack appears in the distance and the smell wafts down the walkway. The fog begins to recede while sun rays stream through a gap in the clouds. The occasional biker passes by on a dark red bicycle wearing board shorts and a t-shirt. It feels like an unusually quiet day on the Main Street at the theme park, and coupled with California mist, one wouldn't be faulted for confusion. But the "like" button painted on a sign outside tells the true story: Welcome to Facebook.
We began the day congregated eagerly at the social network's physical campus in Menlo Park, California. After a quick introduction and the signing of a lengthy Non-Disclosure Agreement—the same given to visiting elected officials—we started the adventure, our toes tingling with excitement. There were huge buildings on either side of us, painted with brightly colored doors: pink, yellow and blue. A lot of us visit the social media site everyday, but we had never dreamed of what we would see at the expansive campus!