May 18, 2025. We have been successful in electing a 46th Regional Mazkirah and her name is ______

May 17, 2026. We have been successful in electing a 47th Regional Mazkirah and her name is Samara Stein

Two sentences. 364 days apart. Two sentences that changed me. 

On March 28, 2025, the elections manual for Lake Ontario Region’s 46th Regional Board came out. With no hesitation, I declared for Regional Mazkirah as a freshman. I prepared and prepared and thought that I would win based on having done chapter Mazkirah and chapter N’siah. And even though I was going against someone older and more experienced than me, I was convinced I would win. Surprise, surprise, I didn’t. I heard the sentence I'd been dreading, and that was that. I went back to chapter board and ran for N’siah, which, guess what, I also lost. I ended up serving another term as chapter Mazkirah. I then ran again for chapter N’siah, where I slid to Morah and ended up being nominated for Mazkirah. During the second term, I found my love for Mazkirah again. I decided to run again for Regional Mazkirah. Election day came, May 17, 2026, 364 days after my first loss. We got through N’siah, S’ganit, Morah, and it was finally time for Mazkirah. It was announced that I would go first. Then they told me that we were behind on time and weren’t going to be able to explain platforms. I then decided in my head that I had already lost. I still gave my all into presenting my speech and waited outside for the other BBG and the sliding candidates to go. Then they announced a runoff. I was in the final two. I told myself it wasn’t going to happen and accepted it. Then, after the recount, something I didn’t expect to happen, happened.

We have been successful in electing a 47th Regional Mazkirah, and her name is Samara Stein. No emotion.

I felt a mix of relief and happiness wash over me, and I saw all my friends and my chapter smiling. Winning regional board meant so much more to me than I thought it did. After losing a regional election and two chapter elections, this election was the thread keeping me in BBYO. Then, finding out the full boards was a thrill in itself. Finding out I was going to serve with some of my closest friends was the cherry on top of an amazing, 4-hour-long election. On Wednesday, June 3, I will be officially installed on Regional Board, and I have never had more gratitude for BBYO and my decision to run again. Every setback was a building block towards the bigger picture of what I knew in my heart I could accomplish. While serving as chapter Mazkirah three times wasn’t ideal for me at the time, it all turned out pretty good.

Submitted with undying love for,

The 47th Regional Board of Lake Ontario Region, Mazkirah, Elections, and everything BBG and BBYO has given me,

I forever remain,

Samara Linde Stein