Senior 38

My Leadership Journey –

Leadership is not just a title, but a continuous journey of growth, influence, and service. Throughout my high school years, I have actively demonstrated leadership abilities within both my school and community. Due to the pandemic, some of my opportunities were limited during my freshman/sophomore years. As soon as we were back to in-person activities, I was excited to get involved.

Currently as Senior Class President, I have found myself in a position of responsibility and influence. My primary goal was to represent the voice of my classmates, ensuring their concerns were heard and addressed. This has involved effective communication with both students and faculty, and working hard to bridge gaps to create a welcoming, inclusive school environment. 

In addition, I was the leader for a few initiatives at my school. From organizing memorable events such as the elementary school Trunk or Treat, decorating for homecoming festivities, to leading a neighborhood cleanup around our area my role as Senior Class President demanded strategic thinking, effective communication, and the ability to navigate complex relationships.

My involvement in DECA has been instrumental in honing my leadership skills. DECA not only provided a platform to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world context, but also encouraged collaborative problem-solving and decision-making. This experience not only polished my academic skills, but also deepened my understanding of the importance of teamwork in achieving success. Our team made it to state this year, and we are currently competing to go to nationals in a couple of months.

I have also held leadership roles in sports at my school, including Team Captain for the Varsity Track & Field team (2023). It was important to me to not only participate on the team, but to also find ways to grow as a leader. At the start of the school year, my debate coach asked me to step up as a leader. This has led to an eventful year, which recently culminated with leading logistics for a successful district Speech and Debate tournament with over 500 student participants from all over the Kansas City Metro Area.

I have a strong commitment to community, as my mother instilled the importance of service in my and my siblings. For the last five years, I have engaged with The Village KC (VKC), a local youth non-profit organization that she started in 2020. It has been an amazing experience! The organization’s mission aligns with my passion for making a positive impact. I currently serve as the President of the Youth Advisory Board. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to programs/events aimed at empowering and supporting Black youth. I also run logistics for VKC’s Black Business events, which includes vendor placement, setup/breakdown, and organizing our youth volunteers.

Looking ahead, my vision for demonstrating leadership in the future is anchored in a commitment to service and community impact. I plan to attend college and major in criminal justice, with my future sights set on law school. I’m most interested in healthcare advocacy – specifically for Black people. There are many ethnic and racial disparities in our healthcare system, and I would like to be a part of making changes in the right direction.

As I transition to higher education, I aspire to join organizations or initiatives that align with my values and passions. I understand that effective leadership involves not only guiding others, but also being receptive to feedback and adapting to new challenges. I am eager to embrace future leadership opportunities, driven by a passion for service, growth, and making a positive impact on the world around me.