Leaning into LAUNCH

Mekhi, 2025-2026 LAUNCH Scholar

If you could write a letter to your past self that you would receive on the first day of the College LAUNCH for Leadership Program, what would you tell yourself to expect, what to lean into, and what you have gained so far from your experience?

Sheesh! It’s crazy to know that just months ago I wasn’t in LAUNCH and I didn’t know anyone yet. If I could give the past Mekhi an idea of what to expect from the program, I’d tell him to anticipate and embrace challenges.

I was loud yet shy on my first day in LAUNCH, and I vividly remember being very nervous and anxious because I was stepping out of my comfort zone. But from the very moment I walked into the lecture hall and saw so many teens around my age, I was ignited with excitement. The reason for my enthusiasm was because I saw so much diversity and friendliness in the people there.

I walked in during the very first challenge, which was to basically go and speak to people. Though it didn’t take me very long to adjust, I was still quite tense. If I could go back in time and converse with myself, I’d have a small pep talk before the first Summit to encourage me to put myself on display. During that Summit I didn’t know that I would’ve made so many new friends and connections, and I’d be so disappointed in myself for not befriending them sooner.

From moments full of laughter, to even working with my YPAR (Youth Participatory Action Research project) group, I came to learn how to accept a challenge and embrace its ambiguity. I really love LAUNCH and everything the program has to offer. I also admire everyone I’ve met so far and I can’t wait to see what happens next!