Just a month ago, PWR (Pacific Western Region) wrapped up our Spring Convention. ‘PacWest Renaissance’, as my co-coordinator and I coined the name, celebrated siblinghood, history, and welcoming in a new era. Coordinating convention was one of the hardest and most rewarding things that I have ever done. The entire weekend came together seamlessly—Shabbat services were beautiful, rotations were excellent, our PWR leadership network dinner celebrated rising leaders, and our senior dinner created a special place for our seniors to feel recognized and celebrated at their last-ever convention. Watching everything work out was a lesson in how, when each teen works together, and when everyone does their part, the product is beautiful.

There’s a saying my regional director loves: ‘Good leaders pivot!’ There was, indeed, a lot of pivoting at Spring Con. Most notably for me… the Italian ice that I was so set on having for our Saturday night Beau Ball wasn’t frozen! Truly, a catastrophe. But, after steering a convention that got totally rained out in November...I went into Spring Con ready for anything. And, like all good leaders, the team pivoted without fail and without chaos every time it was needed.

As I look back on convention, I cannot help but think about how next Spring Con will be my last one. Each year, I say goodbye to close friends. I ask them about college, about their friends, about the new life that they have. And every year, I get one year closer to being one of those graduates. That thought, that this next year will be my last, tells me that I need to savor every moment of the next year. Although I might never coordinate a convention again, I will put my all into each part I contribute to. I will put my all into inspiring the younger leaders, who I know will be running the region when my grade leaves. 

It’s difficult to reflect on convention fully because it was truly a whirlwind of activities and logistics and planning and late-night calls and a whole lot of caffeine. But when I do, I come back to a few moments that stand out. My Friday night separates program—watching Big/Little families meet for the first time, forming new connections. One of the rotations, painting red and blue books—adding our own personal touches before inductions. And, of course, Havdalah on Saturday night—hugging my friends, singing ‘Rivers and Roads’ and trying not to cry, and ending the weekend on a note of such love and community.

As I begin planning for next year, I am aware that, as Regional Sh’licha, convention is a BIG part of my role. I’m so, so excited to put my all into planning services. And so, I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked on these past two conventions—I’ve learned the ins and outs of planning, worked with incredible teams, and definitely gotten better at using my calendar…

Coordinating Spring Con was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences of my bbyo life. The entire weekend, as I met 8th and 9th graders who told me this was their first convention, and seniors who told me it was their favorite, I was reminded of why I love BBYO so much. Not only have I met some of my best friends, but I have watched others meet their own. I’ve gained role models and mentors, and I’ve been one myself. Truly, it felt like I was indeed watching us enter our Golden Age.