Alumni Spotlight
Olivia Lavidor (she/her)
Question: What was your MYL alumni year? (If you did not attend the conference, the year that you first volunteered!)
Olivia's Response: 2016
Question: What high school did you go to?
Olivia's Response: Ashland High School
Question: If you went to/are currently attending college, where did/do you go and what did you major in?
Olivia's Response: Boston College, B.S. in Biochemistry
Question: If you are currently employed, what is your job?
Olivia's Response: Research Assistant, Harvard Medical School
Question: Why do/did you volunteer with MYL/MassSTAR?
Olivia's Response: I am constantly empowered from working with a group of friends who are passionate about a common goal. I have mentors, friends, and a true family in the Foundation, and I want to provide the opportunity for others to grow as I have. My confidence and leadership skills have exponentially developed from my time volunteering with the conference and on the Board of Directors, and I love that no one is afraid to be themselves at MYL.
Question: What makes the Foundation unique?
Olivia's Response: Though this is more conference specific, the fact that we only allow one delegate from every town is so unique and important. You meet people that you wouldn't have otherwise, and there is no constraints of judgement. It opens your eyes to a huge range of privilege and oppression, and makes you realize that there is so much work to be done to better society and be active citizens.
Question: Are you still in touch with people from the conference? How do you stay in touch?
Olivia's Response: Absolutely! We started by group chat messaging and planning excursions with the staff from 2017, but I've grown so close with people from the Foundation that we are texting, calling, and planning meetups constantly. I truly can't imagine my life without the people that I've met through MYL.
Question: What is your favorite activity from the MassSTAR Conference?
Olivia's Response: Walk the Line is my favorite activity because it is so empowering to know that you aren't alone in any of your answers. I also think that hearing everyone's reactions in the debrief is fascinating because problems that you weren't even aware of can weigh heavily on the person next to you. The impact of this workshop is really tangible.
Question: What is your favorite MassSTAR cheer?
Olivia's Response: Olivia's Response: Little Red Wagon because screaming it can be so cathartic
Want to talk with Olivia? Contact him at [email protected]
Responses were collected January 2023