Personally, this group has helped me in many other ways. Here's my story. 

When I was in middle school and into my freshman year, I was harassed and made fun of on a constant basis because of my race and appearance [I'm Asian].  One day in school choir my freshman year, my director asked if anyone was interested in applying for the ALL-OHIO STATE FAIR YOUTH CHOIR. I had seen the choir perform many times before at the State Fair when I went down in past summers for 4-H project judging. I figured it would be something neat to do. I applied and awaited a reply. When I received a letter that said I had been accepted, I was hesitant to accept it. I was afraid that I would be harassed and teased like I was at school. I was horrified at the thought of not fitting in anywhere and being by myself the whole time I was there. Even with those fears, I sent in my letter of acceptance. In the next few weeks my music came. I was excited, but still had those fears.  Then it was time to go to the fair.

When I first arrived, it was completely different from what I thought it was going to be. I saw many people smiling and hugging as if they hadn't a care in the world. In a strange way this freaked me out, but in another way it drove my curiosity to see what this choir was really like. When I went to register, I still remember Chad Baker, our accompanist, greeting me with a big smile. I started to get a very good feeling about the whole experience. When I went to make my bunk and get situated I was almost instantly greeted by a young man named Chris H. He was so nice and helped me get into the swing of things. It was here I met three of my closest friends: Donnie H., Greg H., and Brent H. We were all bunked in the same area. They were also first year members, and we all still call each other and keep in touch. In the weeks to come I made so many new friends. I had never met so many people. I was also so deeply touched with the love and kindness that EVERYONE showed to each other. It was probably the first time I ever found true happiness. It was the first time that I had ever really felt loved by others that were not my parents or siblings. When the fair came to an end, I was so sad, but looked forward to returning my second year, which I did. The next year I was a changed person. I was very confident and always very happy.  The only thing that I regret from this experience was not being able to meet everyone!       

My favorite memories of AOSFYC are:
- Feeling the warm sun melt onto my face during the Heritage Park concerts, the cool breezes that allowed the flags to waft in the wind in back of us, hearing the sound of our music ring through the air, and seeing Mr. Snyder smile and point at us during the song "FRIENDS".
- Last year [2002] when we were woken at the crack of dawn on Alumni Day to sing on the Columbus news.
- Singing on the shuttle carts and having people stare at us. Or singing for pizza at PUGLEESY'S PIZZA.  

AOSFYC has taught me to be a better singer and a better person.  Any high school singer should consider doing this just to be part of the wonderful group, and making lifelong friends. 

A lot of the credit for making AOSFYC what it is now should go to Mr. Charles Snyder. He has made the whole experience very caring and loving. He is just such an outstanding man. I, and many others, call him 'DAD', because he is like a second father to us.