“I am finally a big.”

That was my first sentence when walking into Chapter Kickoff. I was always passionate about BBYO. It brought me back to my feet after the hardest social year of my life, but I never really thought of myself as an influential person within my chapter.

I decided to run for Mazkirah for the Spring 2025 term and start my BBYO leadership journey. I did not know how quickly it would change my life. I went from being on board for the first time, to holding two regional leadership roles, to becoming N'siah and winning against two qualified candidates. By the end of this year, I even ran for Regional Board, something I never saw myself doing.

But that's not where I thrived this year.

My real impact came from what I saw happen to everyone around me throughout the year. I met new eighth graders whom I encouraged to run for board, apply for the Evergreen Leadership Network, and thrive just the way I did. I saw older members who hadn't been showing up come back because of my leadership.

I recruited new members who slowly fell in love with this program. Most of all, I saw the impact my policies were making on our entire chapter.

Even through the stress of serving as N'siah, applying for Regional Board, and balancing every other responsibility in my life, my love for this program never died. It only grew.

I've had so many losses in BBYO. I lost Regional Board and watched some of my programs fail, but I never gave up on what I set out to do: make my chapter a better place.

Through all of these experiences, I realized that my impact in BBYO isn't defined by the positions I hold or the elections I win. It's defined by the people I inspire, the members who feel like they belong because of something I did, and the moments when I get to watch someone else realize their own potential.

BBYO gave me a place to grow when I needed it most, and now I want to use my voice to show others just how much this organization can change their lives, too.

As a correspondent, I want to tell the stories that often go unnoticed: the small moments, the people behind the programs, the traditions, the friendships, and the growth that make BBYO what it is.

I want to help other members see themselves in these stories and remind them that they don't have to be the loudest person in the room or hold the biggest position to make an impact. They can make a difference simply by being themselves.

Now, I am finally the Big I needed, not only for myself, but for every BBG around the world.

So get involved. Let this program shape who you are, and be the change you want to see.