Cameron Smith

By inspiring the youth of Appalachia, the iBELIEVE Foundation enriches the entire world. I was once an exceptionally quiet person, or so I thought. I actually had no idea who I was or wanted to be, until I spent some time around the iBELIEVE magic. We often refer to the impact as “magic,” because it can be challenging to find words immense enough to describe, well, the magic. I went into the summer workshop experience, completely open to the idea of whatever was going to happen, as I began this journey in the summer of 2016, at West Liberty University. I loved trying new things. Little did I know that this “new thing” would become a part of me.  

As a delegate, eagerly progressing through the program, I would have said that the magic was made by the staff members, in the way they brought together fellow delegates & myself. I absolutely admired everyone I met; they made me feel like I could do anything, be anyone, & change the world for the better. I thrived in this environment, & “trying new things” turned into me asking myself, “How can I apply these experiences with iBELIEVE to my life, ultimately giving the same opportunity to others?” I wanted to embody the inspiration I felt at iBELIEVE & share that with everyone I could (& can). This led me to want to become an iBELIEVE staff member. 

As a staff member, I am not sure there is anything much more beautiful than getting to facilitate such phenomenal journeys for delegates. Witnessing their growth as individuals & as a community through various workshop activities & events is just crazy beautiful. It is something that should never cease to happen. Seeing delegates reconnect outside of the organization is something that especially makes me feel so proud of them; creating lifelong relationships & spreading their newfound love for humanity is kind of what it is all about. 

Today, after approximately fourish years being involved with iBELIEVE, I am doing things that I likely would have not dared ventured to do without the presence of the iBELIEVE Foundation. I moved from West Virginia to Arizona to pursue a career in music education, & I am forever happy & grateful to be a part of this family that continues to amazing me, every day. 

To the Moon & Back, 

Cam