Ava Lavecchia

When I first saw the email from my school saying that there was a “workshop” opportunity for 3 students available, I thought nothing of it. A few days later, I looked at the email again and I thought, hey, something to do in the summer instead of being inside. So I signed up and was lucky enough to be accepted. There were a few times my freshman year as workshop came closer that I felt like I was going to back out and just not go, but thankfully my mother did not let that happen and I went.

I was extremely nervous for the few hours that it took to drive there, I thought that I wouldn’t fit in and it would be an awkward, sitting alone school type of event. I got there, ( even after getting lost on the campus. ) and met my roommates who were all super nice and welcoming, ( and I even got the three person dorm so it was large! ) I was super awkward at first, but two girls came up to me and took me in and we instantly became best friends. As soon as I met my group for the week, we all just.. clicked in a way, we all were alike in so many ways and we all became so close, like we had known each other for years. I shared so many laughs and good times at lunches and dinners, even when I was lucky enough to host “friend parties” in my large dorm room.

In the end, I grew so close with so many people I still talk too. I talked to people I never would have if it wasn’t for iBELIEVE. I grew so much more comfortable with myself and who I am because of this program, which is the same program I thought I was going to absolutely hate and never want to go back too. Though I did cry for a long time leaving all of my friends, I still talk to them and I pray I get to see them next year and become one of the girls who is able to take someone under their wing and provide the same experience I was provided. iBELIEVE genuinely made me want to grow and learn and be able to take the lead and help others have as much fun as I did. I cannot wait until next year!