EFY, Experience For Years

EFY, an Experience For Years

By Amy Staker

PROVO--Amaria Grajales sat playing a black and white piano in the Wilkinson center, talking excitedly and beaming because of the experience she was having. 

She explained that she now has more friends than ever before. These friends were made in a matter of two days.

Amaria Grajales is one of the many EFY attendants on BYU campus.

“It rocks!” Amaria said.

Amaria is not alone in her opinion. In fact, many others share the same zest for the program.

Yes, there are some feelings of nuisances, noise, and nuttiness. Still, for counselors, attendants, and even BYU students, EFY is a program that is worth the time and effort put into it.

For youth participating in the Especially For Youth program, the experience allows them to build memories and grow spiritually.

“It’s been a real relief to be able to build my testimony,” said Max Gilmore an EFY attendant from New York City.

He expressed his belief that the organization matters. He has been able to feel accepted and to have fun.  He even related a humorous story about being amazed by a card trick, a memory that he had gained in his two days of being at EFY.

“We were all laughing,” Gilmore declared.

The youth are not the only ones who have received blessings because of EFY.  Counselors have been able to gain new experiences also.

“I had no idea I could be such an influence,” said Sergio Blanco an EFY counselor from Chicago.

He indicated that his testimony of service has grown due to the experience.  He has faced challenges of sleep deprivation and understanding teenagers. Still, he has enjoyed himself.

“I think it’s great. I wasn’t expecting personally to grow,” Blanco said.

Some people think that BYU students do not appreciate having the youth around on campus. After all, the youth get in the way. They make the lines longer. They block the paths to class.

They serve as reminders for memories that many BYU students share. 

In truth, some students did agree that EFY participants can be immature and noisy, but they actually felt like they could relate to the EFY participants. They liked the memories the youth invited back into their minds.

“I like it cause I went to EFY twice in Provo,” said Bryce Churchill a BYU sophomore majoring in exercise science.

He said that seeing EFY kids around reminds him of the good times he had going there.

For youth, counselors, and BYU students, EFY blesses lives.

Amaria's life has been blessed by EFY. Still, her experience isn't secluded. 

Though the participants in the program may seem like nuisances at times, EFY does not stand for Enduring Freaky Youth.

Rather, Especially for Youth is a program that endures for years.