Relationship to VISIONS: 2017 British Virgin Islands participant
Where are you now? I am a sophomore attending Marymount School of New York.
What does the word community mean to you?
Community is an invisible fabric that connects each and every VISIONS member, whether they are near or far. What connects them is an emotional bond and empathy for one another—a mutual understanding and love. We are all interwoven into multiple communities, and I have loved being a part of the VISIONS community of exploration and kindness.
On July 4, we all went to the beach for the “Beach Olympics and Barbecue” event designed by our trip leader, the legendary Dan. After competing and eating, a few of my closest pals and I decided to take a dip just as the sun was setting. The sky was an exquisite shade of pink and white, wispy clouds floated above us. We were surrounded by cliffs and green trees that encompassed the sky when we floated atop the water. The scene was purely picturesque. I had never seen anything like it. In that moment, I was surrounded by great people, I felt at one with nature and truly content. I felt unspeakable gratitude for the opportunity to be in one of the most beautiful places in the world, making a difference.
What did the VISIONS experience mean to you?
My trip to the British Virgin Islands opened many new doors in my life—my love of travel, my passion for community service—and introduced me to some incredible people. Most importantly, it taught me that this beautiful world is so much bigger than I could ever enVISION. (I like puns.)
What is something that makes you hopeful for the future?
I believe that even in these times of strife, in the United States and around the world, there are still passionate people who long to make a difference. I believe that many of these future change-makers are members of the VISIONS community.
I believe that my determination and my empathy for others will allow my passion for change-making to flourish, and will allow me to make a difference in the world.
In what ways, big or small, would you like to change the world?
I would like to break down barriers of judgment that we have created for ourselves, that prohibit us from understanding one another and from making change.
What would you like to be remembered for?
I would like to be remembered for striving to create equality throughout the world, and for making sure that all live life and live it to the full. I want to be remembered for never giving up in this fight.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
I hope to be happy—maybe traveling with the people I love, learning every single day, truly enjoying my work, and saving the world! OK, this last one is a bit ambitious, but I hope that whatever work I do will be meaningful and will bring change to our world.
What would you like to say to other members of the VISIONS community?
I love you all and know that you will go on to do great things.
