As graduation vastly approaches, I have been thinking back on my past few years here at Florida State. Although I have made many, many mistakes, my greatest regret will always be waiting until my junior year to get involved in Relay For Life of Florida State.

I wasted two years wanting to get involved on campus, but I did not know what I wanted to do or how to even go about it. This time last year, I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed when I came across a friend’s profile picture. It was a photo advertising an application to become a Celebration Leader for Relay, also known as a “CL.” After applying and being interviewed, I had become a 2016 CL and found my place on campus.

Celebration Leaders are usually described as a group of enthusiastic students who are the heart and soul of Relay throughout the year. They share their love of Relay, boost morale, and encourage others the night of the event. One of the main reasons I wanted to get involved on campus was to meet new people and I couldn’t have chosen a better way to do so. Relay For Life is made up of an Executive Board, Executive Committee, Council Members, Celebration Leaders, Team Ambassadors, and all registered teams. So, even though I joined just one of Relay’s leadership groups, I was also still a part of all the others.

Relay For Life at FSU is planned entirely by the student members, and it’s not just one, 18-hour event we are planning. There are fundraisers, fun events, share-it-nights, and let’s not forget Puppies For A Cure. We also have multiple week-long events such as Celebration Week, which is planned by the Celebration Leaders.

My greatest memory as a CL was on the night of Relay. It was hour eight of being there and I finally had my break. I walked up to the top floor of the Spirit Way parking garage and looked down to the Old IM fields where Relay For Life was in full swing. I thought of all my loved ones and family I’d lost to cancer, and how almost everyone else at Relay had been affected by this terrible disease in some way. I thought of how amazing it is that we have these events to honor and remember those who have fought and are still fighting cancer. It was a very humbling and rewarding moment I won’t ever forget. The rest of the night I celebrated, laughed, and enjoyed every single one of those 18 hours.

My experience as a CL made me fall even more in love with Relay For Life and all the people I had met throughout the year. I was so inspired by this organization and the event I helped create that and I needed to stay involved. So, I applied for a position on the Executive Committee. I cannot describe the excitement and appreciation I felt when I was offered the position as the Social Media Chair. It has been almost five months since that day and I am still just as happy and thankful.

When you become a member of Relay, you’re joining a group filled with intelligent, compassionate, and inspiring people who will soon become your family. You are not just joining an organization on campus; you’re becoming a member of a worldwide cause. Most importantly, you’re joining the fight against cancer! A fight we intend to win.

Don’t let two valuable college years go by without getting involved. I promise you will find all you’re looking for within Relay For Life at Florida State. Share your love of Relay and meet the amazing people who inspire me every day. Apply to be a 2017 Celebration Leader today and let’s kick cancer’s a**!