Alumni Essay 35

Leadership is defined by Cambridge Dictionary as the capacity, ability, or act of guiding, directing, and influencing individuals, teams, or organizations toward achieving common goals. Throughout my life, I never thought of myself as the loudest voice in the room and when I did, I wasn’t taken seriously and seen as awkward or didn’t know what to do. When I thought of being a “leader”, I overthought the standard definition of leadership and thought of it as something I cannot fit into out of insecurity. 

The biggest thing that brought me comfort to being able to form a bond with others and being able to show being influential was all because of My Little Pony. 

My confidence slowly built up as soon as I entered High School because I realized that I shouldn’t stick to my comfort zone and experiment what I can do. The most influential activity that brought me to who I am now as a woman is Speech and Debate. It challenged me to refine my voice, ethics, and use my words with power and purpose. It taught that leadership doesn’t mean to influence and speak confidently, but with responsibility.I learned how to think critically under pressure, respond thoughtfully to opposing arguments, and remain composed even when I felt nervous. These skills directly strengthened my leadership abilities. A leader must be able to analyze problems, communicate solutions clearly, and stay calm in challenging situations. It showed me that not all life was about winning, but being able to form connections and friendships that feel like a lifetime, the same exact feeling that Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony describes friendship.

 I was introduced to 20/20 Leadership when I was in my Junior year, the peak of my life where I craved more validation, improvement, and involvement. I signed up without any questions asked and hoped to get in the class for my Junior year. I came to the realization that it wasn’t about doing enough, but showing yourself and why you matter. 

Through Youth Lead KC, I learned how to network with others, responsibility, using actions and words, and the value of the power of friendship, honesty, loyalty, and kindness. While it may seem simple, those themes mirror what I’ve experienced in both Youth Lead KC and speech and debate. Leadership is not about standing alone at the front; it’s about building a team where everyone’s strengths matter. Just as each character in the show contributes something unique, I’ve learned that effective leaders recognize and uplift the diverse talents around them.

In the future, I plan to carry what I have learned through a childhood show, an activity that has truly shaped me as a woman, and a program that has left a blueprint on my resumes, especially when I plan to be Policy-Maker at the United Nations or as a lawyer. I will also remind myself that not only hard work is something I should carry, but kindness and empathy for others.

Leaving a legacy behind to me doesn’t mean winning trophies or people remembering your name, it is about the ripple effect of encouragement, integrity, and. If the people I work with feel more confident, more heard, and more willing to lead because of my influence, then I will know I have made a lasting impact. True legacy is built on the courage to speak up and the compassion to bring others with you.