Ian McKnight

As a freshman in high school, I signed up for a “leadership summer workshop” without even knowing the name of the organization hosting it, because I thought something like that would look good on scholarship applications.  I also almost backed out at the last minute because I realized that I wasn’t going to know anyone there.  And yet, despite my initial unwillingness to venture into this unknown, getting into the car to head to my first iBELIEVE workshop at West Liberty University ended up being the best decision I’ve ever made.  Now—more than five years later—iBELIEVE has become such an integral part of my identity that I can’t even begin to imagine how my life would have ended up without it. I am who I am because of it—self-confident, motivated, and ready to tackle any challenge that comes my way—all because iBELIEVE showed me what I’m capable of, along with reminding me of the countless people who always have my back.

My time with iB has taught me many things.  Sure, I had to learn what milk looks like squirting out of someone’s eyes in a presumed reenactment of the defense mechanism of the horned lizard, but I also learned how quickly complete strangers can become cherished, lifelong friends.  I learned of conquering fears from watching those with social anxiety and public speaking phobias present in front of a crowd for the first time, and I learned what their smiles of pure joy looked like as they received thunderous applause for their successful efforts. I learned what it felt like to truly experience a feeling of belonging for the first time.  And above all, I learned just how much a person can grow when he or she is surrounded by genuine compassion and support.  Each iBELIEVE event exists as a symbiotic relationship—everyone helps each other grow into kinder, more confident, and more caring individuals as they cultivate meaningful relationships with one another, and my interactions with those people inspires me constantly, allowing me to continue to grow myself.  This is what makes my experiences with iBELIEVE so rewarding: no matter how many times I keep coming back, everyone ends up learning something.

TTMAB,

Ian McKnight