Alumni Essay 38

I have been part of Youth Lead KC since my freshman year. During my first year, I had no idea of what I wanted to do in life, or what college was all about. Youth Lead KC helped shape my growth as a leader in many ways. Being in the program pushed me outside my comfort zone. It gave me the chance to meet and work with students from different schools who shared similar interests and goals. Talking with new people was not always easy, but this experience made it feel possible. Having conversations with people from different fields helped make my future plans feel more real and attainable.

Before joining Youth Lead KC being a leader did not feel natural to me. Speaking up with a group of students felt uncomfortable. Being in the program helped teach me leadership skills in a simple but powerful way. It showed me that leadership is about working together with others, listening, and helping each other move ideas forward. Group activities and team challenges gave me the chance to practice sharing ideas, and supporting teammates. Watching others in action showed me that leaders do not need to have all the answers. Those small moments of speaking up built my confidence so that what once felt scary, started to feel normal to me.

Leadership growth also came through teamwork and shared responsibility. A major part of the program was working on a project to create a mental health space at [REDACTED – SCHOOL NAME]. The goal was to create a place where students could feel safe and supported during stressful times. Working on this project helped build my skills in communication, planning, and cooperation. The project did not win, and the reasons why taught me many valuable lessons about what an effective leader does to mediate, communicate, organize a group with differing opinions. It showed me what strong leadership looks like and what I have to be willing to compromise on. It is about stepping forward when others can’t, supporting each other, and learning from your mistakes. It is not about control or always being right, but about listening, learning, and working together. Failing helped teach me that.

The lessons I’ve learned from Youth Lead KC will continue to guide me in my future goals. The confidence I gained from speaking up in a group will help when working with children, families, and the community. The ability to connect with others and share ideas will be important in any career. The program showed me how important it is to create spaces where people feel safe and supported. What didn’t feel natural to me before is now an important part of my skill set as I take these leadership skills into a demanding career where communication and organization are crucial.

What I learned doesn’t stop with me, though, because leaving a legacy means creating something that continues to help others even after the work is done. It is not about awards or recognition. It is about making a lasting impact. The mental health space project may not have won, but it helped bring attention to an issue that affects many students. It started conversations and showed that change begins when people care enough to try. Our work even influenced another group to design a similar space in our school using our courtyard garden. Legacies are built through effort, growth, and the choice to keep moving forward. Youth Lead KC helped build the leadership skills and confidence that are a part of my legacy as I continue to support others and strengthen the community through my work.