Alumni Essay 12

Through my time in the Youth Lead KC, I’ve grown tremendously as a person. I’ve been exposed to events that simulate real-life networking events. As a first-generation student, my experience in situations such as a career fair where you dress business casual was limited. By attending events such as the career fair, I’ve learned how to speak in professional settings as well as how to make a lasting impression. As I grow more confident through events such as these, I also become more sure that I can be successful like the student speakers that were and are still a part of Youth Lead KC. In the future I will use my newfound knowledge from the program to further my goals of starting a non-profit organization for low-income family health care costs. By making connections such as the ones made in Youth Lead KC events, I will confidently collaborate with teams to provide support in my community. By speaking confidently and making a good lasting impression, I can spread the word about my cause to ensure the success of my goal. Youth Lead KC has taught me that success comes from you taking the initiative towards your goals one step at a time, even with something that seems small like a student success plan. By continuing to plan my future, I can ensure I meet all my minor and major goals. Leaving a legacy means inspiring others to strive for greatness like you did. It means making a difference in a way that is appealing. My first semester of freshman year I lacked motivation to succeed. It all seemed so far away until my second semester, when I joined the soccer team and got to meet the seniors who were in 20/20 Leadership. The girls, apart from being beautiful and amazing at soccer, inspired me so much; they were so much. They were involved in so many things and led them. They never seemed overwhelmed; quite the opposite, they were always happy to step up and be the loud one to ensure things went right, whether it was in HOSA, soccer, volunteering, band, etc. As my admiration began to grow for them, I began to pay more attention to what they were a part of, one of those things being Youth Lead KC. They always talked about the events and how interesting they were, and it piqued my interest. As time went on I got my grades up, and I got involved in everything I could! I enjoyed it; it never felt like a burden, and when I mentioned what I was involved in to my underclassmen and they were surprised, I felt proud of myself. To me, leaving a legacy is inspiring others to be the best they can, not because they should expect something but because it makes them happy to help others and be a leader. Leaving a legacy is so much more than simply doing something great and being admired for it; it’s about inspiring others to take that same initiative and to be happy to do it. Any idea we have is not original, and it needs a place to be born, and of course it won’t be exactly the same, but for it to happen there must be an inspiration, a legacy.