Out of GAR’s three conventions, Spirit Regional Convention was the one I had not yet attended. This past year I was unable to go, and to say I was beyond excited for this year’s SRC would be an understatement. At our chapters prep night, we worked tirelessly to prepare a dance, banner, and video to present at the convention, wich was originally supposed to be at a summer camp down south.

The week leading up to convention was COLD, too cold. Cold enough for the roads to freeze that weekend. Cold enough for GAR being unable to have convention at our planned location. I remember texting my friends, “will SRC be cancelled?”, “what are we going to do?”.

Flash forward to Thursday, a day before we were all supposed to board the bus that would take us to the weekend we would never forget. “SRC will be moved to a night at the JCC” read our parents' inboxes. Expectations were low, my friends and I didn't even know if it would be worth it to attend, but we are so glad we did.

I felt the strength and community of our region the moment I walked through the JCC doors. People talking, laughing, the biggest ‘I missed you’ hugs.  Although I was cold, the warm embrace of my friends from all across Atlanta made me forget about the weather. 

The effort put in by staff, steerers, and coordinators was undeniable at SRC. Each program being a reflection of the hard work put in to make convention the best that it could be. From meaningful Shabbat services to energetic dances, SRC truly was a convention I will never forget.