45 days, 6 ½ weeks, a month and a half long.

    USY on Wheels is a trip targeted to teenagers between ninth and twelfth grade. For me, it was a wonderful time to meet new people, learn new things and travel the country.

    The trip started at a Holiday Inn in Somerset, New Jersey, where I met 30 teenagers, five staffers and our bus driver. There was already a small group of people there as I entered the meeting room, and I headed to the back of the group and introduced myself to two boys I had never seen in my life. They carried out a conversation as I watched everyone else. They all seemed to know each other, since almost everyone lived in New Jersey or New York. I was just the weirdo from Texas.

    As we were heading to Baltimore, Maryland, our first stop, I felt more relaxed with the people around me. Maybe it was because I spent so much time with them on a small bus for a long time, or maybe it was because they knew the right way to pronounce my name within three hours of meeting me. Either way, I knew I was fortunate enough to have the most wonderful opportunity with an inspiring group of kids and adults.

    Traveling around the country was absolutely fantastic. I mean, how could I forget waking up at 3:45 a.m. to watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon? Or how could I forget spending all day at the most magical and happiest place on earth?

    But the thing that made this trip most enjoyable was learning, seeing, and participating in all of the activities together. At the end of each day, I always felt like I learned something new about myself and everyone around me.  

      By the time my trip was over, I couldn’t believe all the people who had inspired me. Whether it was a quick conversation, someone I asked for advice, or a daily activity, each interaction impacted me  tremendously.

    Celia Pavo, one of the staffers who volunteered to take on 31 kids, had the most beautiful soul. Her views on life, and the advice she gave me, helped me through rough times during the trip. She wore a necklace that read, “This too shall pass.” This phrase and her wisdom helped me get through some rough patches along the way.

    Adam Shinder also made a difference. He was one of the nicest boys I had ever met. He carried a watermelon down the Grand Canyon because he wanted to, and he was the one I went to if I had anything to complain about. He was also the only person who listened to me without an intention to reply.

    Emma Jacobs helped me and a lot of other people by having private conversations under her fuzzy grey blanket during long bus rides. She had one-on-one conversations that me feel important because her entire focus was on me, and not the entire bus.

    Jeremy Werbow also made a difference. He was the first friend I made on the trip. We sat together on the bus due to assigned seating, and we would rant, argue and talk about anything that popped in our heads. When I talked with him, I didn’t need a filter.

    And then there was Emily Chargo. She made an impact on me that is unexplainable. She had such a strong sense of the world and the people around her, which made me very proud of her.

   Celia, Adam, Emma, Jeremy and Emily. These were only a few people who made this past summer my best summer ever. The experience, memories and adventures I shared with them will stick with me for a long time. Everyone on the bus interpreted their summer a different way, but I know we will always be together – members of Bus B, 2017.