I have been a part of Girls for a Change for 5 years, and it seemed like every year, it would help me grow even when I thought there was no more to gain. Starting out as only a 7th grader, I was intimidated by the intense creativity that was shared by seemingly every girl in the committee. I would always be reluctant to share any ideas I had because in past experiences, they could be shut down at any moment, pushing me back into simply observing. But soon that had all changed, I was giving my opinions and sharing my own strength and creativity that I brought to the committee.  I discovered that young girls could affect change in our community and even our world and I was excited to see what that change would be. Nearly every speaker at our conference inspired me to follow my dreams, be myself and not take no for an answer, which are skills that I will forever hold on to when I leave Montana and the committee. Being a part of girls for a change has also provided me with more opportunities than I could have ever had if I had not been a part of it.  For example, I had been fortunate enough to emcee for a famous writer, Eve Ensler, I have met girls from Algeria, and talked with politically powerful women from the middle east and I have shown my photography in shows and I have learned to interact with influential adults in any situation. Now, when meeting new people I put on my “Girls for a Change smile” and am capable of introducing myself and being a great hostess whether I am greeting girls at the conference or meeting musicians from all across the united states at the Macy’s Great American Marching Band which performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Now that I have finished high school, I plan to attend Montana State University here in Bozeman and pursuing a dual degree in Business Management and Sociology. From there, I hope to attend Culinary School somewhere on the East Coast with the ultimate goal of opening my own restaurant. I plan to stay connected with Girls for a Change by helping with any workshops that I would add an impact to.