Ace
Ace’s TomTod Journey
Middle school can be a tricky time for anyone. For Ace, it was a season of navigating where they fit in—a time of plenty of ideas, but not always knowing where they’d be embraced. That’s when they found TomTod Ideas through Camp What If.
“I was an awkward kid,” Ace admitted, looking back on their middle school years. But at TomTod, they discovered something unique. “It wasn’t just about what I could create but about who I could become.”
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Belonging without Judgment
Through programs like Council of What If and What If 101, Ace’s sense of belonging deepened. In a time of life when peer pressure and judgment often dominate, TomTod stood apart.
“There are a lot of times in middle school when you feel judged, whether by other kids or adults,” Ace said. “But at TomTod, everyone is welcome. It’s an atmosphere that made me feel like I could come out of my shell.”
This sense of acceptance and encouragement was life-changing for Ace, giving them the confidence to try new things and grow.
“TomTod builds a community that doesn’t push down any person or idea,” they shared. “They challenge middle schoolers to have good ideas, but in a way that encourages us to be ourselves.”
“TomTod not only welcomes different people but embraces them as well.”
Giving Back
Fast forward to this past summer, and Ace was back at TomTod—not as a camper, but as a member of the summer team. Now a high school senior at Early College at Lehman, Ace returned to help create the same kind of environment that once shaped them.
“TomTod’s approach to empowering middle schoolers hasn’t changed—it’s gotten even stronger,” they reflected. “We were trained to create that inclusive, welcoming environment for campers, just like I experienced. TomTod not only welcomes different people but embraces them as well. It’s by design, and I got to help make it happen.”
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Ripple Effects
Ace’s journey from middle school camper to high school leader exemplifies TomTod’s mission: to empower young people to discover their voices, grow into themselves, and make a difference. The lessons Ace learned as a middle schooler stayed with them, and this summer, they passed them on to the next generation.
“I’m grateful to have been a part of TomTod,” Ace said. “It’s not just a program; it’s a community that continues to impact me and others.”
At TomTod Ideas, middle schoolers like Ace don’t just find a place to dream big—they find a place to belong, to grow, and to make their mark.
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