March 29th, 2026. The day I was looking forward to since early 2025, the day I had been prepping for since November 2025, the day I revolved my whole world around, the day I lost my first ever election.

Hi!! My name is Lexi Reese Davidson, and I was caucused for the high and honorable position of Gold Coast Regions’ 23rd Regional Morah. “Is there a Morah in the house,” the body asked. My name was not called, nor was my slide, nor was I nominated for a position. Many think that losing means giving up, or never coming back, but to me, I find it has shifted me into the right direction for my remaining 2 years I have in BBYO. 

About 2 months ago, I returned from International Convention, enlivened on my couch when I got the email: "Official packets for the 23rd Regional BBG Board.” my heart dropped, but almost in a good way. A way that made me feel that it was officially my time to be an even bigger leader. I quickly signed up for the first possible 1-1 meeting with the regional staff, regional BBG President, and my amazing mother, for February 22nd. Preparing for that I spent a full week on my self-evaluation (which was a word document of 7,000 words!!!), and spent WAY too many hours in the mirror reading my speech to myself. 

After my 1-1 that went just the way I dreamed of, elections were on my mind constantly. It is when you spend the most amount of effort into something that it matters even more than you can describe. It’s the constant agony of overthinking what can be done better, even when you feel you have reached your peak. That is exactly what regional elections felt like to me. But then, I lost. No runoff, no re-voting, I had lost the position I didn’t think was possible to lose when I was so emotionally passionate about it. 

Before I could even process what just happened, I had to step out for my slide to Mazkirah. Immediately, the tears started flowing. At that moment I thought to myself, "is this a nightmare?" and also, "am I really sobbing on the bathroom floor with my advisor while she fans the back of my neck?" (shoutout Amanda). I’m going to skip over the messy crying, but it was safe to say I thought my world was crushed. 

Now it has been a little over 2 weeks since elections, and I sit here writing this thinking “What exactly is a loss?”. Because there are still so many wins in BBYO for me. Chapter board for the past 4 terms, Regional Leadership Network, the amazing Shofar team I write with, the list continues on and on. A loss is not what you don’t have, it is what you are missing because you are not putting yourself out there for your full potential. If I could run for regional board all over again, I would in a heartbeat. And it’s not just elections either. 13 months ago, I was not signed up for a summer program, but 12 months ago, I was! If I had not gone on CLTC, I wouldn’t have been putting myself out there to my full potential and would never be where I am today because of it. 

To summarize, what I am trying to say is don’t let one small bump run you off the road. Elections will always be messy, but the support system (win or lose) after is always worth it. Because at the end of the day, none of these moments are losses, they are curves in the road shaping us into the most perfect version of ourselves.

Whether it is school elections, club officer positions, or overall just a hard decision, I have been there. And so has almost every single person who has put themself out there before. What matters is that you get back up, try again, and remember how much you are worth!!!!

Respectfully submitted with an everlasting & undying love for Morah, I will forever and always remain, Lexi Reese Davidson, the damn proudest candidate for Gold Coast Regions’ 23rd Regional Board even after my loss, but most importantly, an even prouder B’nai B’rith Girl of the International Order Of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization till the day I die.