Marijka Lynch-Pastoor
Anytime anyone from my community asks me what The iBELEIVE Foundation is and why it means so much to me, I get very excited to share a tiny bit of the magic with them because the magic that I’ve seen over the past 7 years is something everyone should get to experience.
Before I attended my first iBELIEVE workshop, I thought my whole being was based on my athletic ability and how well I did in school. That is what I prided myself on and what I thought would get me to where I wanted to be in life. Then the summer of 2014 at West Liberty University came and my whole mindset was changed. The iB community taught me that who you are as a person leaves a greater impact on your community than the accolades you collect. Every single person I have met through iBELIEVE has shown me a new way of thinking, has impacted me with a personal story that I remind myself of when I need that push, and has become a lifelong friend that I know is always in my corner.
iBELIEVE has had such an impact on me in the 7 years that I have been a part of it. The lessons that I learned allowed me to move to a new state, 7 hours away, and have the confidence that I could make an impact in this brand-new community. Although I moved after my Senior High 2 workshop, I was still welcomed back by iB for the next 5 years. That 7-hour drive was nothing if it meant that I could continue to come back, meet more amazing people, and grow in my leadership abilities.
iBELIEVE has positively impacted my ability to handle every new challenge that comes my way. I do not know who I would be today if it weren’t for the invaluable lessons that I have been taught by iBELIEVE. Everyone has the ability to make an impact in their community, but sometimes we aren’t aware of that potential. iBELEIVE encourages each student to exceed their potential and create the world we all long to live in. Sometimes all we need is a little push, a safe environment, and some amazing people to support us to be the best version of ourselves, and that’s exactly what iBELIEVE did for me.
