Julie Alford

For the last ten days, I’ve had the honor of attending the Summer Youth Institute at Ole Miss. This was such an honor and I feel so blessed to have been given the chance to make a difference in my community and learn about so much that I’d never known before. For ten days, I’ve learned about my home, learned to accept others as they are, learned what it really means to be a neighborly person, and learned that I can change things if I want. I want to change the image of Mississippi, starting with community; and the Summer Youth Institute has hellped me realize that that’s possible. For that and many other resasons, I am beyond greatful.

The students at SYI have become like a family to me. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and formed bonds that could last forever. Meeting all of these new people has also shown me that you really can’t judge other people. Everyone is an individulal person, and everyone has their own thoughts. The people at SYI have shown me that stereotypes don’t matter, and usually don’t apply. My fellow students are a group of amazing people who are unconcerned with race or gender; they don’t care what you look like or how you talk; they aren’t bothered with where you come from or where you want to go; these people care about who you are—not your parents or your grandparents, but you. This, I know, is an amazing thing. So many people in today’s society dwell on the past but can’t see the present or even comprehend the future. But these people that I’ve lived with and grown to love in the last ten days see reality. They see that it’s possible for everyone to be together and grow from each other, and that’s something that many people—especially in our state—can’t do.

Before SYI, I was unaware of so much. With every trip we took, I learned more about the place that I call home. Every time a story was shared, my mind was blown. Now, we’ll be leaving tomorrow, and I’m going to miss everyone dearly. But, although we won’t be able to share antics around the tables at JC or dance in the lobby, we’ll stay in touch, I’m sure. With all of the networking possibilities now, I feel sure that everyone will stay in contact, and that’s what gives me hope.