Arena Community,

A few weeks ago, I graduated from Arena Academy. I want to tell you about my experience and encourage you to apply to the June Academy.

As I closed my computer and waved goodbye to my Arena Academy Community for the final time, I reflected on the five-day training filled with invigorating courses and impactful conversations. I began to realize there was another aspect of the training that made the experience more meaningful than I ever could have imagined.

When I received the email about the Arena Cup -- a competitive hands-on campaign simulation that's part of the Academy -- I was excited. I'm a naturally competitive person and love working in teams toward a common goal. What I didn't anticipate was that once the competition was over and Arena Academy ended, I would miss the random emails and "Slacks" from my teammates ensuring our message was in sync or confirming our voter targeting data or simply just motivating each other. 

The most incredible thing about Arena Academy is that the Arena staff placed a group of seven people together who didn’t know each other to build a campaign plan virtually over Zoom, Slack, and Google Drive, and it just... worked.

My Arena Cup team

It's part of the reason I love campaigns, the ability to meet and work with people who are passionate about empowering not only voters and volunteers, but their teammates as well. Many of us who want to staff campaigns come to this work because of the issues or the candidate, but end up staying because of the people we meet and the connections we form.

My Academy cohort was filled with people from all different backgrounds, states, and lived experiences.  

Through our values and shared goals, we built deep connections with one another. If past Academies are any testament, lifelong friendships were made at this Academy and will be at the June Academy.

If you’re ready to work hard to elect progressive champions and eager to join a supportive community of people prepared to do the same, apply to Arena Academy by April 25. 

I'm so grateful to the Arena team for facilitating this Academy and can’t wait for you to join me as a fellow grad. 

If Arena Academy is not for you, forward this email, or spread the word on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

All the best,

Avi Sholkoff

March 2021 Arena Academy Graduate

P.S. If you have questions about the application or Academy, you can visit our FAQ or watch our info session.