Alumni M3

  I began 20/20 Leadership my junior year. I am glad I took this opportunity when it was given to me. My junior year was definitely a rebuilding year for me; I was learning to find my identity and 20/20 played a role in building my character. When I attended the Junior orientation I was not sure what to expect. While in 20/20 I had the chance to make connections with students from different schools; I was nervous to do this at first but our counselors made it easier by giving us fun icebreakers to get to know those within the program better.

On some field trips I had the opportunity to meet with different businesses and careers. This gave me a crash course on how to network and speak with professionals.  20/20 gave students the chance to meet with many different colleges and careers. This allowed me the chance to learn how to branch off and talk to professionals on my own which as a leader it is crucial to know how to speak with others without an adult holding your hand. The 20/20 Olympics gave me the chance to connect with classmates I never spoke with before. As a leader you must know how to give out your ideas but also listen and respect others input. Listening to my classmates give thought and input into the project we were conducting, and then being able to build on their ideas as well as put in some of my own ideas was awesome.

20/20 Leadership was more than just field trips for me. This program has taught me many things that I believe have helped me pick a college and will help me while I’m in college. I truly enjoyed touring colleges because no two colleges look alike.  Our advisors made it clear that even if I didn’t plan on going to the college we visited I was still able to gain knowledge on things I did and didn’t want for my college experience and they were right. The colleges we were able to visit also taught us about FAFSA, housing, diversity rates as well as clubs and organizations. Now I know I want to be at a college with a medium to high diversity rate, high graduation rate, small campus, and suite style bathrooms thanks to 20/20. While in this program I have also been able to make the decision that I will be going to college studying Kinesiology to become an Athletic Trainer and I will be studying at University of Central Missouri.

When people mention leaving a legacy it seems like they all have a slightly different perspective of what that means. For me leaving a legacy means leaving behind something for those who come after me. For example, within 20/20 I can leave a legacy for the &&&&&&& &&&& students. I believe I’m already doing this by attending as many field trips as possible, actively listening to speakers, being a great representation for my school, always having above a 3.0 GPA and never having an F. I hope this is something almost if not all students at &&&&&&& &&&& can follow when they are in this program.