To the 2024 Michigan State Leadership Conference Attendees,
It is my greatest privilege and honor to be your president. Amongst the best leaders of the state, I am immensely proud of everything we have accomplished this year. We started our journey by driving to Albion College, packed with tutus, glitter beads, and leis, but also an open mind, a caring heart, and a passion for leadership. From tinker toys, to BE boards, and the famous level 3 CASH Hunt, our lives truly changed. We laughed. We cried. We grew into the people we are today.
From camp, we made our way to Leadership Training Institutes. Through engaging activities, we spent the day diving into leadership curriculum such as citizenship, team dynamics, and decision-making.
During Student Legislative Day, the Student Mental Health Summit, and the Women’s Summit, we called for action. It is student leaders like us who are making the world a better place, one step at a time.
After too many cancelations caused by Michigan’s horrendous weather, we made it through our Regional Connect Conferences. We got to explore various school programs and initiatives, inspiring us to reflect on our own and learn from our community. Sitting in the audience listening to the Michigan Student Voice presenters, tears filled our eyes as we listened to their powerful stories.
And now, we are all here together at the Michigan State Student Leadership Conference. No matter where you joined us in this journey, you are here today because you are passionate about student leadership. I am beyond excited for the weekend ahead of us, however as we dive into it, I would like to offer a few words of advice:
Take the time to reflect on this past year. What makes you happy? What challenges have you faced? What are the lessons you have learned? What are you proud of? Take these experiences with you as you immerse yourself in this conference. It will help guide you on a path of personal growth not only as a leader, but a person overall.
Have an open mind. Through keynote speakers, Michigan student voice speeches, student showcase presentations, and more, you will take away more than you could have imagined. Be open to each and every idea presented to you, and take notes!
Disconnect to connect. Living in a digital world it can be difficult to disconnect from technology, however, this experience will be much more impactful if you are truly present. Use your cell phones as a tool, rather than a distraction.
Network! Throughout the weekend you will meet thousands of student leaders from across the state. Each individual here today has a story to share, and I encourage you to listen. Introduce yourself to strangers and ask questions about the unknown.
The connections I have made through this organization will last a lifetime. There aren’t enough words to describe how grateful I am for this family. To my camp councils over the years, thank you for being vulnerable with me and having the difficult conversations I needed to grow. I will carry the lessons taught to me from the Baldwin Steps for the rest of my life. To the Board of Delegates, I love you with my whole heart. Applying to BoD was truly the best decision I have ever made. From facilitating leadership curriculum, to midnight runs to Taco Bell, to student panels, to One Direction karaoke, each memory has a special place in my heart. To Aby, Olivia, and Jessica, it has been an honor to be on the executive board with you. I’m already excited to Facetime you as soon as we get home to reminisce about our time together. To every one of my mentors on CVFC (if I named all of you this would become a very long letter), your guidance is the reason I am who I am today. Thank you for always being there for me and pushing me to be better every day. To Matt Alley: the backbone of this organization we have all grown to love, I cannot thank you enough for the time we have spent together. The past three years, working by your side, have been a gift I will cherish every day.
And of course, to all of you. Every student, advisor, and administrator—thank you for making MASC/MAHS what it is. This association would not be possible if not for your dedication, passion, and drive. I am immensely grateful and can’t wait to spend this incredible weekend with you all.
Your Board of Delegates President,
Mahi Garg
P.S.: If you see me at states, talk to me about BoD or ask me to teach you the leadership beat 🙂
P.P.S.: Remember to stay hydrated throughout the weekend!
P.P.P.S.: REGISTER FOR CAMP!
Dear our favorite student leaders,
We are beyond excited for a memorable weekend where we celebrate each and every one of you as individual leaders. It feels like only days ago that the three of us attended our first MASC/MAHS event; yet here we are, writing to you as we are going into our third year attending this state conference.
MASC has left a mark on each of our lives in unique, unexpected, and unforgettable ways. For me (Olivia), I came into the MASC family uncomfortable with any sort of change. From LTIs, to Regionals, to States, I have grown more and more after each. I was taught life skills that will be applicable forever, one of those being how to be adaptable to change. I’m proud to say that I no longer worry about what the future holds, as I know that change is inevitable in life. For me (Aby), MASC has taught me how to be more confident in myself and my abilities. I used to be so nervous to meet new people or talk in front of large groups. By going to MASC events and having the opportunity to work with so many students across the state, I have built up my confidence and have seen an immense amount of personal growth. For me (Jessica), my experience with MASC broadened my perspective and completely overturned any preconceived notions I had about what it means to be a part of a community. I learned that no matter who you are, your background, identities, beliefs, or values – here in our MASC family you will receive unconditional love and support, openness, and authenticity. We are so proud to say that we are not the only ones who have been greatly impacted by all that MASC/MAHS does. And so, we challenge you to reflect on how MASC has impacted your life, and all that you have gained from your experiences with this organization.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication from some very special people. MASC would not be the organization it is today without them!
To the man who makes this all happen, Matt Alley, thank you for providing each of us with such unforgettable experiences. Thank you for providing us with a supportive and uplifting environment – making the MASSP office feel like our second home. And lastly, thank you for bringing us all together.
To the people that don’t get enough credit for all they do – Angel, Nina, and the rest of the MASSP staff, thank you for never failing to make all of our events a success. Thank you for working countless hours to ensure all event attendees are safe, fed, and excited to be there. Thank you for always encouraging, supporting, and challenging us to be better every day.
To the college kids that we aspire to be, Brooke and CVFC, thank you for being the older siblings we didn’t know we needed. Thank you for constantly being willing to listen, sharing your experiences, and giving meaningful words of advice. Thank you for bringing life to camp and making us feel more comfortable with who we are.
To our beloved president, Mahi, thank you for your endless hours of hard work and dedication to this organization to ensure that everyone is valued and heard. Thank you for making BoD so welcoming and helping us to create unbreakable bonds within this organization. And above all, thank you for always staying true to the person you are.
To the 28 people who never fail to make us smile – thank you, BoD. Thank you for your commitment to bringing positivity and change to your schools and communities all across the state. From late nights at sleepovers to long hours at the office, you never cease to amaze us with your creativity, passion, and incredible drive. And even more importantly, thank you for being the bestest of friends.
To Aby, thank you for always lending a listening ear and a helping hand. Your giggly and courageous personality always seems to inspire us, you truly are our little sunshine.
To Olivia, thank you for always putting a smile on our faces, and bringing energy to everything you do. We know we are going to see you one day soaring the skies as brilliantly as you soar in life.
To Jessica, thank you for always being willing to share your passions and experiences with anyone who asks, it’s insanely motivating. We can’t wait to see what your future holds, you have accomplished so many amazing things so far.
And lastly, to all of you, our lovely MASC attendees, thank you for bringing energy and life into each and every event. Thank you for having the patience and humor to deal with our good morning chants. Thank you for your courage to share ideas and your dedication to see them through – you are the inspiration for all that we do.
With lots of love,
Your 2023-2024 Executive Board of Delegates