There are so many different aspects of BBYO that I am so thankful for. However, one thing that always stuck out to me since I joined, especially now, was its powerful ability to connect people from all over the world.

This factor of BBYO was really put in perspective for me when I signed up to attend ILTC this upcoming summer. I already know that it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Through Zoom calls, social media, and texts, I have met a group of some of my closest friends, from all over the country, that instantly changed my life forever. Looking back, it is such a crazy thought to me that I never would have met these people if it wasn’t for this amazing organization. After just a few weeks of talking with each other, it feels like I have known them and their experiences my whole life. I know that I would be a completely different person right now if I had not met them. Talking to them always gives me something to look forward to in my day, despite how far we may be location wise. When I say BBYO introduces you to people that will make such a lasting impact on your life in such a short amount of time, I mean it, and this is exactly why.

Knowing that I will be spending almost three weeks with them this summer and will meet so many other amazing people, is such an inspiring feeling. I want to help other people experience the joy of meeting these people has brought me, so I have the lucky opportunity of being a lead at IC 2021’s summer lounge. I have been planning a summer 2021 meetup at IC so everyone attending a summer program alongside me can really branch out and find their people as I have. I am beyond excited to meet everyone and spend my upcoming summer at Perlman. BBYO is a once in a lifetime opportunity that truly makes lasting impacts on you for this exact reason.