Last year, I was honored to attend the EDGE 2018 Seminar at UC Berkeley. EDGE stands for Explore, Develop, Grow, and Empower. The core of EDGE is a 3-day seminar where 150 high school sophomores from all over the state of California come together and live those aforementioned four words. I hesitate to simply call EDGE a leadership seminar because it is more than just leadership. EDGE is a life-changing experience, and I mean that in the most honest way possible. In just those three days, I discovered aspects and quirks about myself that I had never even knew existed. This self-discovery can be attributed to the environment EDGE creates for its students. Each student is a wide-eyed sophomore who does not know anyone else at the seminar, as only one student is selected to come per school. But in those 3 short days, each student creates a network of friends and family that they will forever cherish. At EDGE, one of the key goals is to make students feel comfortable in their own skin; we call it “taking off your cool jacket.” In our modern day society, there are so many social stigmas which dictate how we act. At EDGE, these don’t exist. It is a truly liberating experience.

This year, I am returning to EDGE as a JCrew where I will be leading my own group of students alongside my team lead. What makes EDGE so unique is that is a completely free seminar; students do not pay a single dollar to attend. This means that we need YOUR help! It costs $350 to support one student at the seminar. Anything and everything is appreciated! Feel free to spread the word! Thank you!