Hi there! I’m Alex Bremer, a 2018 Bezos Scholar from Pomeroy, a very small town in the southeast corner of Washington. It’s still surreal to me that out of all the inspiring high school students, I was chosen to be a Bezos Scholar. Never in a million years did I think that I would be writing about my trip to the Aspen Ideas Festival.

Aspen was extremely eye opening and nothing like I expected. I learned more about myself, how to look at things from different perspectives, about politics, and so much more.

Being a Bezos Scholar means even more to me now than it did before I found out I had been accepted or had arrived in Aspen. Little did I know, I would be creating lifelong friendships with every Scholar and I could never have imagined the amount of gratitude that I received and learned how to give in return.

So far, my time as a Bezos Scholar has allowed me to think differently and to step out of my comfort zone. I now feel more comfortable within my own skin and know that no matter what I do, I will always have someone there to support me— Even if they’re halfway around the world.

Being asked to thank one of our guest speakers and introduce another, allowed me to step out of what was familiar. Standing in front of a room full of people and to speak on the behalf of someone that we all thought so highly of, made me nervous. I’m proud that I pushed myself to try something I wouldn’t have felt confident doing prior to coming to Aspen.

Many of the lessons I learned in Aspen will be used towards planning my own Local Ideas Festival. Every piece of knowledge I obtained can be used in some way, shape, or form. Not only will I be applying the information to my Festival, but I will also be using it in my daily life. There is nothing that can even compare to the Aspen Ideas Festival and being a Bezos Scholar.

Going to Aspen as a Bezos Scholar would not have happened if it wasn’t for my amazing educator, Lori Flynn. She is someone that is open to crazy ideas and sees the good in everything. I originally asked Lori to be my educator and attend the Aspen Ideas Festival with me, because she is extremely open minded, something I knew would be beneficial in an educator partner.

Prior to Aspen, I’d worked with my educator, Lori, through the school’s ASB program. We also live in a very small town and everybody gets to know each other pretty well. Since Aspen, I can now say that Lori is someone I know I can go to with anything. Our week together in Aspen was life changing for the both of us. We gained new lifelong friendships together, we listened to different viewpoints together, and we learned together. I wouldn’t have wanted to start my journey as a Bezos Scholar with anyone else.