This past week I served as a State Counselor to the American Legion's Boys State of New York. It was an incredible experience to go back to a program that helped me grow so much as a person, and now have the chance to go back and serve to help others grow and learn!
Above is a picture of me with Holocaust surviver, Helen Sperling, an amazing women with an incredible story of survival that inspired all at the program.
She spoke a lot about knowing ones self-worth and that no person can make another feel as if they are nothing because we must believe otherwise and be strong. She said that we can no longer be bystanders and that we must fight for the good in this world we live in.
There were aproximately 1033 boys who graduated from the Boys State program this year, and all that I spoke to said that they were inspired - two years ago, I myself was attending the program and heard Mrs. Sperling's story for the first time back in 2011, and was also truly inspired by it.
I was honored enough this year to return to the Boys State program not just as a Counselor but also as a guest speaker for the second year in a row.
I spoke this year to the students about my own personal story of overcoming odds and finding success in my life. I used my own story as a catalyst to inspire the boys to recognize their full potential to truly make a difference in the world and that anything they put their mind to is possible.
This year's Boys State had an amazing group of young men who I'm sure will go forward to make a difference in the world. I am honored to have worked with all of them.
