Alumni Essay 49

As I went through my high school career, joining Youth Lead KC my junior year has been the best experience of my life. When I first joined Youth Lead KC I felt scared and undecided about what I wanted to do after graduation. However, becoming part of Youth Lead KC provided me with structure and a proper helping hand to get me where I needed to be. 

One of the most impactful opportunities the program gave me directly was the chance to experience different college campuses and talk to college students. Visiting different campuses like UMKC or Wichita State University allowed me to be in new environments and think about what I truly wanted for my college experience. Instead of me choosing a school based on what the reviews were or what I thought “looked cool”, I chose my school based on understanding my own wants and needs. These visits changed my outlook of college from something intimidating to something that I believed I can actually manage. Through these visits, I gained understanding and began developing realistic goals for my future.

Beyond my academic and career path, Youth Lead KC strengthened my leadership skills in ways I did not expect. I learned leadership requires being an active listener, working with teams, and being able to take accountability. Participating in the different group, community, and team activities that Youth Lead KC had for us pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, even if I did not want to. I learned how to communicate my ideas while also respecting my peers around me. I learned how to not only hear what someone was saying but how to understand them as well, I also learned how to admit when I was wrong and fix my wrong doings and over time I slowly noticed myself becoming more confident. I started sharing my thoughts and came forward when the chance was presented to me. 

The program also taught me the importance of engaging with those around me. Through Youth Lead KC I began to understand that even small things I do such as helping a friend or volunteering creates small but meaningful differences in society. This helped me to shift my mindset from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. My growth mindset helped me develop others the same way the program helped me develop.

In my opinion, “leaving a legacy” means creating a lasting impact that extends beyond myself. A legacy to me is not about the things I am noticed for or the things I receive, it is about the impact I have on others. It is about lifting people up and helping people to believe in themselves. It is about contributing to a positive change in every person I come into connection with. Leaving a legacy means that when I continue on my journey, I leave behind the things that helped me develop into a leader as well.

Being in Youth Lead KC has helped me become a more confident, thoughtful, and responsible person. These traits have helped me develop into a leader over time. As I continue my journey, even when I am not in Youth Lead KC, I am going to keep the lessons I have learned from the program and build a community which is built on a foundation of growth, leadership, and meaningful connections.

Another way Youth Lead KC helped me grow as a leader was by strengthening my confidence and responsibility. Before joining the program, I doubted whether my voice truly mattered in my community. I would constantly be scared to share my opinions or step forward in group settings. Through group meetings, and discussions, I learned that being a leader requires me to have courage. The courage to speak up, to ask questions, and to understand that my voice matters even when I am unsure of it. Over time, I became more comfortable with giving ideas and supporting my peers in different ways. The program also taught me the value of accountability. Leadership is not only about inspiring others, it is about following through on my end of the deal and being an example for others. Moving forward, I plan to use what I’ve learned to mentor my younger siblings, my friends, and even people who may feel as scared like I did.