Alumni 10

After hearing about 20/20 leadership my freshman year from friends who were in it during COVID, I joined the following year as a sophomore and have been in it ever since. Because of 20/20 I have been all over Kansas and Missouri learning things about our states and the companies within it. I’ve been on many college visits that I wouldn’t be able to attend without the help of them and I’ve been to so many business expos that I’ve learned who to spot that I know will give me the push in life I need. I’ve grown so much from the kid who just wanted to get out of class every month, eat pizza and win gifts to being the kid that’s attending every trip ready to take notes and find out what’s next on my path? What will I learn today that I can use again one day? How will this trip change my life? Ever since junior year everyone has said it’s getting real out there. Are you ready to go off alone into the mess? And although it might seem we will be alone we never will be because we can come back and help those who helped us be ready for the world. I will definitely use all the skills and knowledge I’ve gained from the 3 years I’ve been in this amazing organization to start that business I want, get both of those degrees I want, and be THAT alum who makes a difference in my community and come back every time to the place that made it the most possible. Leaving a legacy to most is fortune, fame, status, or just power, but not to me. To me leaving my legacy means being that one who left that mark. I want to be remembered as the one who started life with very little but worked towards every goal no matter the challenge or problem she faced. Having a legacy means you did something so well done that there’s more than just a few people who’ve heard the story of your success, or of your failures because there’s absolutely no success without failure. Being a legacy from Kansas is a big deal. This city isn’t much but it’s home. It doesn’t have much or look like it has much but there have been so many people from here that just inspire me not to stop following my dreams because if they can make it so can I. Anyone can leave a legacy for their family but the right one can leave a legacy on the city, state, or even county. I would like to leave a legacy so big other schools talk about it to kids who need to hear it. Because being a legacy isn’t enough I want every generation after me to look in books or online, anywhere and see that no matter the background, the failures, the tragedies, or traumas I persevered through it all and made it to the top of what I wanted. Thank You.