“I just came back from being a camp counsellor this summer. I work at this really cool Jewish, left-wing, socialist camp that I really love — everyone is very supportive. I grew up there, and now I get to be a camp counsellor and take care of kids. You get to be goofy, nurturing, and also provide guidance and education. Honestly, it’s the best job I’ve ever had. 

“Something that I’m very passionate about is that kids deserve to be taken seriously and talked to like they’re legitimate. Every kid has valuable things to say and is a whole person that has their own opinions. It’s not about what they’re going to become, it’s about who they are right now. 

“It really bothered me when I was a kid and people would not take me seriously. You could always tell when you were talking to someone and they’re not taking you seriously or don’t care about what you’re saying. I made a promise to myself when I was like eight to never become one of those adults. Also, when an adult says “You’ll figure it out when you grow up” and “Everyone becomes cynical” — I hated hearing that. I feel like adults forgot what it was like to be a kid and to have kid emotions. I think adults think about kids' lives as if they aren’t significant right now, but when you’re a kid it’s very significant because you’re living it.”