New York State Submission by Malea Otranto and Alaina Ryan

Every new CONA delegate has different impressions after arriving at the mountain for the first time. How does everyone already know each other? What is a Eureka Treat? Where can I get one? Is it just me or is it “hot in hurr?” What is the difference between a state, family, commonwealth, and republic? Where in the woods is Carmen Sandiego? And lastly, where is the Blue Ridge Spirit? I can’t find it on my map.
As the conference begins to unfold however, the answers spring up in the most unexpected places. All of us strive for that cross-country friendship, that memory we will never forget, that debate in which we hope to participate. As first years, we might get that nervous butterfly feeling when approaching the stand to speak or feel intimidated by the CONA veterans. In first, second, and third committees listening to the first, second, third, and even fourth year delegates speak their views, just shows one thing about all of us: despite our diversity we are here, in this mountain setting of North Carolina, to make a difference. As first years or even returnees, above all we will strive to make that difference throughout the week and to remember it.