When I signed up for CLTC, I expected to meet people and make friends. But what I didn’t expect was how impactful these people would be. These people would change me, challenge me, and cheer me on, all this in just a couple of short weeks.

From the very first icebreaker to the last hug goodbye, this summer was filled with moments I’ll hold onto forever. The people I met weren’t just kind, they were vulnerable, but most importantly, they were unapologetically themselves.

Some people I met I connected with instantly, and others took a little longer, but as the days went on, we became a community. We showed up not knowing each other, and we left knowing each other better than some people back home ever could. And somehow, even though we’re no longer physically together, I still feel each person I met present in my life. Every person has impacted me so much that I can’t imagine life without them now. Whether it’s a compliment they gave, a memory, or just the friendships I made, their influence hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s only grown stronger since we left.

That’s the magic of BBYO summer programs. It brings together teens who have never met, and somehow makes you feel like you’ve known them your whole life. We may be from different cities, states, or even countries, but for a few weeks, we were one family. And that doesn’t end when the summer does. `