KC Royals Charities Scholarship Essay

High school was full of opportunities for growth on a personal level, but among the greatest moments in my leadership was when my classmates and I came together to help an entire class navigate an assignment that asked us to write an essay. The task required each student to choose a topic, research it, and write an extended essay, but some of them were struggling with the instructions of the assignment. We stepped in to help them by offering one-to-one tutoring to help with brainstorming, writing, and solving the issues they were facing. Not only was this a fulfilling experience, but I learned some valuable things about leadership that inspire me today as I continue my education. When our teacher noticed that many of the students in class were stumped by the essay and came to us to help them. The essay had been assigned to challenge students and help them develop their writing and critical thinking abilities, but it was becoming evident that most of them struggled with starting, identifying a proper topic, or with keeping their thoughts clear. My classmates and I were asked for help, and we were glad to help. At first, we did not know the most effective approach, but we all thought that the most effective way to help was to provide individual help to every student. We also committed to a series of one-on-one sessions in which each of us would meet with students individually and take them through the writing process. We divided the assignment into sections and each student would walk in for a session with us, where we would discuss the essay topic, help them brainstorm ideas, and work through any obstacles. I found that some students struggled with picking a topic, while others had trouble with structure or simply lacked confidence in their writing abilities. Some students had great ideas but didn’t know how to organize them effectively, and some just needed reassurance that they were on the right track. The goal wasn’t to write the essay for them, but rather to offer guidance, break down the process, and give them the confidence to handle it themselves. Another important lesson was learning how to communicate effectively. When trying to help students with writing, I had to figure out how to break down complex ideas into more digestible pieces. For example, when one student was struggling with how to make their argument stronger, I used a visual aid to show how to structure their ideas logically. For others, talking through their ideas out loud helped them get their thoughts in order. I found that clear, simple communication was key to making the process feel less overwhelming and helping students understand what they needed to do. It was a reminder that leadership isn’t about overcomplicating things—it’s about making information accessible and easy to understand. I also understood the importance of flexibility from this experience. Not all of the students reacted to the same methods, and I had to be flexible enough to alter approaches based on their needs. While some students worked well with brainstorming sessions, others preferred to dive into drafting and receive feedback later. Some needed a step-by-step approach, while others just needed some moral support to see them through. Being able to adapt my style to the learning style of the individual not only made me a better leader but also assisted me in my own development as a problem solver. I realized that leadership is not doing the same thing for everybody, but trying to find the right approach for every individual. In addition to these tasks, this experience also revealed the power of collaboration to me. Although I was working one-on-one with students, the success of the project effected all of us for collaborating as a team. We collaborated by dividing the work based on our capabilities, such that every single one of us was capable of giving the most appropriate support to the students we were working with. A few of the students in my class were very good at brainstorming, while others were good at giving feedback on writing. By doing this, we ensured that the students received all-round help, and it helped me realize that leadership is not so much about doing everything oneself but about getting the best out of all to work towards a goal. Reflecting on this experience, I can see how it has shaped my approach to education and my future aspirations. I realized that leadership is not just about giving instructions or leading a group—it’s about inspiring others to believe in their potential and helping them unlock their capabilities. This understanding has motivated me to continue my education and explore a career where I can help others grow, particularly in education. I want to create environments where students feel supported, confident, and empowered to take charge of their learning, just as I tried to do for the students in that class. Furthermore, this experience reminded me that leadership is a continual process of growth. Helping others improve their skills also allowed me to learn more about myself. I became more aware of my own strengths and areas for improvement, and I developed a deeper understanding of how to lead with empathy and flexibility. Leadership, I’ve come to realize, is not a fixed role—it’s an evolving practice that requires constant reflection, adaptability, and learning from the experiences of others. To put it all into perspective, working with my peers and teaching a whole class of students through their essay writing task was extremely instructive, helping me learn tremendous lessons on flexibility, communication, patience, and teamwork. It was an experience that refreshed my desire to help others and challenged me to return to school, especially education. I now view leadership as not a throne of power but an opportunity to influence other people’s lives. This experience more than anything has shaped my learning style and leadership, and I aspire to apply these lessons in the future.