When I set my eyes on the Grand Canal in Venice for the first time, at the tender age of 16, my life changed forever. The world around me disappeared, and all I could wrap my head around was the sheer amazement I was feeling from being far away from home and experiencing another side of the world?another side that many never to see in their entire lifetime, much less in their youth. Ever since that day, I have dedicated myself to championing the notion that every child or teen should be afforded the opportunity to get out and experience a different place, a different culture; a world outside of their own. It will open their minds, it will make them appreciate diversity, it will enhance their education and their lives in a way that nothing else can.

I support the SYTA Youth Foundation because SYF puts the very notion into action that every deserving student should have the chance to learn by exploring. Many of the students and classes who receive scholarships and grants from SYF are those who would otherwise not have the opportunity to travel, due to financial hardship or other challenging, sometimes heartbreaking, obstacles in life. I urge you to learn more about the great opportunities that SYF provides to youths in travel, and to support me in my goal to raise $4000 for the SYF as I train to run in the San Francisco Half Marathon!