It was June 8th, 2025 and I stepped into Signon BBYO’s 5th chapter board elections. I was so nervous because I was the only one in my chapter running opposed. However, I walked into the room, eager to make my mark on my chapter. Hearing my name when there was a question for if there was a 5th chapter S’ganit was one of the most rewarding experiences. 

When the school year had started, I had no idea where this term was going to take me, but one thing that I knew was that I was not going to let any opportunity fly, like I had let them fly in previous school years. I made a promise to myself to always try my hardest with our meetings and events occurring in Hudson Valley. We started off the school year very strongly with our barbecue kickoff containing 20+ members/prospects. 

However, along the road, the winter came and things were not looking too sunny for our chapter. Our members had gotten very busy and attendance had not been as strong at our events. In addition, our aleph attendance was very low. Some of our events had just 4 people showing up. However, this was a sign to me to never give up on something that I had worked so hard for. It showed me that our chapter was in need of some positive change. 

To advance this change, I began to talk to our regional director and our chapter N’siah on how we can change our chapter for the better; how we can move forward, while honoring everyone’s legacies that came before us in our chapter. That is when our million dollar idea came to be, turning Signon into a BBG chapter. We were more than ecstatic to make this change because it made sure that programming was going to be appealing to everyone and it would be way easier for recruitment purposes. 

Then May 6, 2026 came around. This was the day that we submitted our official charter to become a BBG chapter. On our chapter charter, we are starting out with 27 official members. After we submitted the charter, we hosted a business meeting to rebrand our chapter. We decided on a new logo, new colors, and new Stand Up cause to contribute to in the following school year. We are going to have a fresh start. Although our elections did not happen yet, I know that Signon BBG will be in good hands in the following school year. 

On May 17, 2026, I was elected to be the 14th Regional Sh’licha for Hudson Valley Region. I am more than excited to make my mark on my region, but it was also proof that I did not let any opportunity this school year go to waste (in my chapter, regionally, and internationally). Furthermore, although I will now serve on the regional board, it does not mean I will ever neglect Signon BBG. With my regional board position, I want to inspire my chapter’s leaders on how to grow the chapter to the potential that it can be. I will help them in any way possible on creating new chapter initiatives that will be cherished through the years of our chapter. 

Ultimately, this year has truly shaped me as a leader because it has taught me to not give up on something that I love and it taught me that good things will take time. After achieving success, I am looking forward to seeing everything that my chapter will do in the future. Signon BBG #709 is my heart and home, and I would not want it any other way.