Red Cross is an organization that's known throughout the world. They actually do everything. Like anything you could think of to help someone out, they probably have been doing it for years. I've had the pleasure of serving on the youth board for the past three years and it's actually indescribable how much I've grown as a person, solely because of this dedicated group of people I get the opportunity to work with.

Red Cross has changed my life to say the least.

It's honestly insane for me to think about what kind of person I was before involving myself with the youth board. Every day I'm reminded of what a privilege it is to serve on youth board, especially with someone as courageous and opinionated as Lynn.

Since many of you don't know who she is, she's great. Lynn is seriously one of the most incredible people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and I couldn't more thankful to get to work with her this year. It's sometimes hard to think about the impact that the youth board has had on who I am and what I stand for. The youth board has made me strongly opinionated, it's made me understand that it's okay to be proud of something you do and to always fight for what you think is right.

You'd be amazed by how much you can learn from a second grader, honestly. Attending leadership conferences have made me realize that these kids look up to us, the same way we looked up to high schoolers when we were their age and that's just mind boggling to me. To think that there's a 2nd grade girl who thinks I'm cool and fun is really flattering to me.

But in all seriousness, Red Cross has seriously been a blessing to me. It's allowed me to make new friendships that I otherwise wouldn't have had and really has made me more aware of what's going all over, and it's so much fun. It's really common that people see Red Cross, or volunteering at all as boring, but the best memories that I have from high school so far are through Red Cross.

Here are some things that youth board members and various individuals involved have to say about Red Cross:

"I made great friends and it really opened my eyes up about the community!" -Gloriyah Caleb

"I love how the Red Cross teaches people who are completely different- people from different backgrounds, different cultures, and different physical make ups, to work together, love our differences, and grow with one another while helping our community!" - Hamp Gibbs

"The opportunity to meet and work with an incredible number of young people who care. Who care enough to try their best to build bridges across difference. Who care enough to work together, pushing past apathy, busy-ness, doubt, and indifference to make the world a better place. And smile and laugh while doing it." - Ned Murray

"Most people see volunteering as a task or chore, but the Red Cross brings a fun, energetic twist to volunteering that everyone seems to enjoy!!!!" - India King

I'm so excited to see what this year with Red Cross has in store for me and for the youth board as a whole.