Before I became a BBG, I spent a lot of time staying quiet and not letting people in. I was shy, constantly scared of starting conversations, and terrified of what might happen if I let people see who I really was.

When I joined BBYO, all of that changed. Right away, the environment pushed me far outside of my comfort zone. It encouraged me, and at times, forced me to take a leap by talking to new people, and later make lasting friendships. But looking back, I wouldn't say that BBG changed who I am as a person. Rather, it gave me the courage to uncover who I was all along. It revealed my true self. 

The confident, passionate person who had always been hidden beneath layers of shyness and self-doubt. BBG didn’t reinvent me; it gave me the space to finally step into who I’ve always been.

You constantly hear people say that BBYO is a place where "you get out of it what you put into it." For a long time, that felt like a vague and confusing statement. What does "putting into it" actually look like? Does it mean you have to run for chapter or regional board to truly benefit? Do you need to attend every single IC just to feel like you belong? 

What I’ve come to realize is that by shaping your “BBYO identity,” is what guides your personal identity. There is no single formula or one-size-fits-all path to being a "good" BBG. You have the freedom to make this movement whatever you need it to be in this chapter of your life. If you want BBG to be the missing puzzle piece that completes your high school experience, let it fill that role. If you prefer its presence to be in the background while you focus on sports, school, or other passions, that is just as valid. BBG is a sanctuary and a home built for every single type of person, regardless of your personality, goals, or level of involvement.

No matter how you choose to define your journey, everyone can find a home in BBG.