Make the most of every moment

Hi USY,

It’s an incredible honor to be here before you today as we reflect on an unforgettable year in USY and welcome a new era of leadership. Over the past twelve months, we’ve witnessed the start of something truly great. USY hasn’t just grown this year—it’s started to transform. We’ve honored our roots, tackled big challenges, reimagined our structures, and strengthened our community from coast to coast. Today, I’m excited to celebrate what we’ve accomplished together—and to share my hopes for the incredible board stepping up to lead us into 2026.

Let’s begin where we began this year—LTI.

Over the past few years, the Leadership Training Institute has been the starting point of our year—a launching pad for a new generation of USY leaders. But this year’s LTI wasn’t just about learning how to plan a great event. It was deeper than that. We talked about purpose. Vision. Responsibility. We made space for honest conversations about what leadership in USY should look like today and what our roles mean beyond the titles. We left with tools—but more importantly, we left with community.

LTI this year reminded us that while each region is unique, we’re stronger when we’re connected. It gave leaders the chance to build relationships with other leaders—sometimes from the complete opposite side of the country. And those relationships didn’t end at the airport or on the group chat. They showed up throughout the year, every time we gathered again—whether at a convention, an immersive experience, or just a late-night FaceTime.

Speaking of immersive experiences—what an amazing year it’s been. We had six immersive weekends this year, each in a different area of the country and run by different boards. Each one was a chance for USYers to break out of their region, meet new people, and be a part of something bigger. These weekends were about fun, sure—but they were also about finding your people. Singing with someone you just met. Laughing over something no one else would understand. Building a network of friends across North America.

But something else happened too—something that I think speaks volumes about the kind of teens we have in this movement. There were several people who didn’t just attend one immersive experience—they showed up to almost all of them. No matter where it was or who else was going, they were there. They brought energy and ruach to each space. They made every weekend more exciting, more connected, more USY. I am very proud to say I’ve become great friends with many of them, and it has been a privilege to experience USY alongside such dedicated, passionate people. You know who you are—and thank you.

Similarly, as president this year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend as many conventions as I possibly could. While I did get to attend many conventions, there were a few I simply couldn’t make work due to schedule conflicts. And for that—I’m truly sorry. To every region I didn’t get to visit this year, please know that it wasn’t for lack of trying, and I’m grateful for the amazing work you’ve done regardless. For the regions I did visit—thank you. Thank you for welcoming me in as one of your own, even if only for a weekend. Thank you for your ruach, your hospitality, your pride. Getting to meet all of you has been the most meaningful part of being president. Hands down.

Another meaningful part of this role? My incredible IEB.

You guys. You’re amazing. Truly. I want to thank each of you for the hours of hard work, the creativity, the calls, the spreadsheets, the brainstorms, and most of all—for being role models. The number of times a USYer has come up to me to say, I look up to one of you is honestly overwhelming. You’ve set a tone this year—of collaboration, integrity, and commitment. And I know that the board coming in will benefit tremendously from the example you’ve set and the advice you’ll pass down. I’m so lucky to have worked alongside you. And please—don’t be strangers. Text me, call me. I’ll always pick up.

Now, I want to shift to what I think is one of the most impactful accomplishments of the year: the new USY Constitution.

From day one, we knew the structure of our movement needed to evolve. And rather than shy away from that, we leaned in. We re-examined, rewrote, and reimagined our governing document to reflect the USY of today—and prepare for the USY of tomorrow. We made space for growth, flexibility, and change. And we did it as a team. I want to thank all of you who gave feedback, showed up to town halls, argued passionately, and took the process seriously.

And now, as we pass the torch, I want to speak directly to the incoming IEB.

I am beyond excited for you. You are coming from across the country—from different regions, different experiences, different backgrounds. And yet you’ve been brought together by a shared mission—to lead, to inspire, and to help this movement flourish. One of my personal goals this year was to make the IEB more representative of all parts of the country, and Canada, and I truly believe we’ve taken a step closer to that vision.

From your applications, your interviews, and your presence at conventions, I know you are the right people for these roles. You are smart. You are creative. You are empathetic. You have ruach, and you care deeply about this movement. And now, you will get the incredible opportunity to see USY in its full, national glory—to visit regions, to meet teens from every corner of the continent, and to experience the full magic of this community.

Don’t waste this year. Don’t wait to be great. Make the most of every moment. Show up. Take the hard calls. Do the prep work. Push yourselves. And remember—once it’s over, it’s over. So make it count. And remember: wherever you go in USY now, you’re not just another participant—you’re a leader. People are watching. People look up to you. So carry that title with joy, and with responsibility. Of course, still have fun—but always lead with integrity. This experience will shape you, grow you, and change you in the best way. I promise.

And if you ever feel overwhelmed or unsure, I’m just a call away. I always have opinions—and I’m always here to listen.

Today is my last day as president. That’s a heavy thing to say. This year has been the best of my life—no question. I’ve spent nearly every weekend  I could at conventions, meeting some of the most incredible people I’ve ever known. And as my time as a high schooler comes to a close, I find myself reflecting more and more on everything USY has given me—memories, laughter, meaning, and a second family.

People ask me if I’m sad that my USY journey is ending. And honestly, my answer keeps changing. But right now, standing here, I can say this: I’m not sad that it’s over. I’m just so incredibly grateful that it happened. And I know I’m going to stay in touch with the people who made USY such a home for me.

Thank you, USY. For everything. For trusting me. For inspiring me. For letting me be your president.

I’ll miss you all. And I can’t wait to see what’s next.