Alumni Scholarship 17

I joined 2020 leadership during my last year of high school. I didn’t know much about the program at the time but eventually decided to apply to join after repeated urging by teachers at my school. Although I haven’t been in the program for multiple years and am barely halfway through the program, it has had a profound impact on me and made my senior year even more memorable. From people I’ve met and the friendships that blossomed as a result, as well as the valuable information that has and will continue to set me up for success even far after what will come next.

At the beginning of my senior year, I set on having a more relaxed year; I didn’t anticipate much more than ending my senior year just as I had the previous years of school. However, as the weeks passed, I broke more and more out of my comfort zone, from learning more about the values of a leader, being able to get past my fear of public speaking, and, more importantly, being able to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. These experiences, not only during program days but also in and outside of school, helped me to see leadership, a once uncomfortable position, as something obtainable and not a cookie-cutter role.

The lessons and realizations that have occurred during my time in 2020 leadership have left a profound impact on how I continue after high school and as I become an alumnus. Programming such as career fairs, financial literacy, and college campus visits had a more visceral impact, such as influencing my options on where I will be continuing my education and informing me of the financial choices I have that the people in my family could not have taught me. More internal impacts involving leadership and personal values will continue to shape my perspective once frustrating or anxiety-provoking situations such as public speaking and expanding my network are seen as opportunities instead of temporary setbacks. I will use what I learned throughout this program to not only impact my life for the better but also to impact others in the same way.

A legacy to me means the same thing, leaving an impact in a similar way it was first given to me. Although it is primarily thought of as a grandiose gesture, legacies are left by everyone because everyone leaves an impression on others even if you don’t realize it. 2020 leadership has allowed me to leave a greater legacy not only within the program by meeting new people but also within my school. This program allowed me to break out of my comfort zone, become more involved, and take on leadership roles. I achieved so many things, such as expanding clubs and, through trial and error, creating change along with my peers.

After reflecting on my personal experiences as well as discussions with my peers in the same program, I looked back on my experience throughout high school, and none of my classes, programs, and extracurriculars were as memorable; if I remembered one thing from high school, it would have been my participation in this program. That is a true testament to everything that it has taught me, the impact it has had, and the legacy that I will carry with me in college, in my career, and even as I work to make an impact just as important.