Junior member Aubrey-Aundrea Adair from New Jersey participated in the Junior Activities presentation for the Department of New Jersey’s Mentoring Monday Zoom, presenting Adair a great opportunity to get involved at the senior level of the organization. 
 

“In my part of the presentation, I spoke about the importance of the Patch Program and how easy it is to complete and earn them, and to wear the patches very proudly since it shows the accomplishment that you’ve made,” she said. 
 
Adair has completed several patches in the program, so it was easy for her to talk about and explain to others on the Zoom call. But, she was still nervous when presenting by herself.
 
“I went over it a couple of times to make myself more comfortable,” she recalled. 
 
It meant a lot to Adair that as a Junior member, she was asked to talk during the Zoom session. 
 
I felt very proud that they asked me to present,” she said. “I’ve gone through a lot, and to actually bring myself to present in the Zoom was not only an honor, but it changed the way I viewed other public speaking events.” 
 
Encouraging Junior involvement at senior meetings can help Junior members feel supported by senior ALA members. 
 
“Just try your best no matter what,” Adair said. “Even if it doesn’t seem as if they are interested, they are, and you will most likely hear lots of applause from the senior members.” 
 
Adair said she loves being a Junior member and that passion was shown in the Zoom presentation and beyond. 
 
“It brings me lots of pride to know that veterans and my community benefit from what I do,” she said.