Em Marlow

iBELIEVE was my first introduction to what it means to be from Appalachia. I remember coming to the camp my first year knowing stereotypes of the region, but I never knew what it actually meant to take pride in it. Through leadership activities, working with a community of people my age, and learning ways to help others, I was able to use my time in my development years to discover who I wanted to be as I grew older. I am only 20 now, but I can see the impacts iBELIEVE made on me. My character and drive were forever changed. I now staff myself and love seeing how many people are being shaped like I was. It is incredibly rewarding to help in that process, and I know the other staff members (like myself) are growing in the process of helping the delegates. iBELIEVE (like Appalachia) will continuously have a piece of my heart.