CROYA, which stands for Committing Representing Our Young Adults, has been a safe space for many, specifically senior Lulu Flavin. Since middle school, Flavin has attended CROYA, and was recently elected chair woman.

“CROYA has allowed me to meet so many new people and is a community of people that want to support one another,” said senior Caroline Kaiser, a friend of Flavins and frequent CROYA attendee. 

Flavin’s vision is to make CROYA as inclusive as possible.

“I would say my biggest goal is to get as many people to experience at least one CROYA meeting,” said Flavin. “I want to impact the community in a positive way by giving people a place where they are welcomed 100% of the time.”

Sophomore CROYA member, Evelyn Marshall shares her own experience with Flavin. Marshall has been attending CROYA since freshman year and feels that she has always been welcomed.

“Lulu brings such a light to CROYA and to everyone that walks through the door. She makes you feel like you two are best friends even if you just met,” said Marshall.

Not only has Flavin helped people feel welcome but she’s also brought new and significant activities to the organization. Flavin brought the “pink party” meeting to CROYA, a meeting where students can come together and support women who have endured breast cancer.  

“The pink party meeting is meaningful to me because it was a meeting that I wanted to create when I ran for CSL vice position,” said Flavin. 

On top of the weekly meetings, Flavin urges many to partake in the yearly fall and spring retreats. These retreats have brought a new sense of community to Lake Forest and Lake Bluff.

“Without being asked, she takes initiative and gets things accomplished. She also has an acute awareness of empathy and kindness, which draws more people to CROYA,” said senior Delaney Koval, a frequent CROYA attendee. 

The supportive community has not gone unnoticed since 1980, but Flavin herself has made a specific impact. Although there have been many chair men and women, the impression Flavin has made has touched many people.