It’s already the third week of AYA. Time is going by too fast. I wake up each morning excited to meet my AYA friends. Being in this group already feels like being part of a family. These three wonderful weeks at AYA have been filled with joy, learning, and connection. As the weather grows hotter each day, the sun greets me warmly, its bright rays shining down and brightening my day. Every morning, I grab my Dulce coffee, relishing its rich and sweet taste. The refreshing flavors energize me and set a perfect tone for adventures ahead of the day.
Meeting the AYA alumni –Kalyn, Devin, Kailyn, Lelya, Zoilo, and Troi– was like watching a grand fireworks display. Each one of them, with their good-hearted and inspiring words, lit up our interactions. Their stories and insights were like the initial sparks that spark the fireworks filling us with inspiration and excitement. We had a day where we had time left before we were going to eat lunch, and we played a bingo game. During the bingo activity, we all played as a whole AYA program, getting to know each other better. This activity was like a burst of color in a fireworks show, each interaction adding a new layer of depth and connection. Stepping into the next level of getting to know them felt like the grand finale ending in a spectacular friendship.
Receiving our own cameras to take pictures for our photo essays was like being handed sparklets to light up our own paths. Taking pictures with my AYA peers, we captured not just images, but also memories that will forever be engraved in our hearts. I love making memories with my AYA friends and spending time with them. Studying outside on the patio before lunch, under the warm embrace of the sun, felt so nice. The sun, like a guiding star, made our study sessions with warmth. It reminded me of how the sun’s rays can catch fire from fireworks, causing them to burst into life. Similarly, our moments of learning and bonding under the sun sparked new ideas and strengthened our friendships.
“This world is but a canvas to our imagination,” Henry David Thoreau once said. At AYA, our imaginations have been set free, painting pictures of what we can achieve together. One of my favorite experiences was becoming a stage manager for the AYA news. It made me realize the importance of every role in a team. Without a stage manager – or any job for that matter – problems can arise, just as a missing component can prevent fireworks from lighting up the sky. In the same way, if the materials needed for fireworks are missing, the spectacle cannot take place. As I reflect on my third week at AYA, I realize how quickly time is flying by. Yet, each moment is like a firework in the way that it is bright, impactful, and unforgettable. The friendship that I have made, the lessons that I learned, and the memories we have created are the sparks that will continue to light our paths long after the program ends. I cannot wait to make more memories and enjoy my last week at the AYA program!
Fight On!!
Communicating Change 