Senior 38

Since I was a child in elementary school, I have always been inspired by monumental leaders and people with an initiative. I would find myself wondering how it is that these people possess some of the same characteristics, yet are so unique in their own distinctive way. So much of my time was spent figuring out how I could become great like them.

I stumbled across a short, yet so impactful, quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This quote has become my everyday motto since then, and keeps me in sight of my goals and how to achieve them. “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.” This quote speaks volumes about how people can make a difference in the world in so many ways.

True greatness isn’t measured by your influence, wealth, or power. Instead, it is measured by your ability to serve others and your communities. Everyone has the ability to find something they are truly passionate about, and decide what they want to improve for others. There are also other ways that may seem very minor, but have a larger impact. These are the things that do not go unnoticed, and truly create differences.

My initiative is to help create a safe, comforting environment for our rapidly growing Latinx Community at Piper High School. I knew that in order to do so, I wanted to found a club that was dedicated to not only our Latinx students, but to other students of different backgrounds who wanted to learn and appreciate our culture. When I began, this was a small step, and I could not imagine just how much of a long term impact it would leave on my school.

This year, I have helped coordinate a read and play day to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with all of our district’s elementary schools, and our club members. Students had the opportunity to have books read to them about Hispanic culture, ask questions, learn new phrases in the Spanish language, and end it all with a fun day of playing. 

This was a monumental moment for me, as it was when I truly realized the impact I had made because of my choice to serve my community. I had created a safe environment for our high school students to relate to others like them, and I had also given many young children an opportunity to learn first hand about different cultures. Our Latinx high schoolers now come to school feeling seen, comfortable, and have a sense of home. 

After high school, I plan to pursue a career in Public Administration and Marketing. With the knowledge from these two fields, I hope to step foot in public policy and non-profits. My experiences have led me to realize that I can make the change I want to see around me, so I have chosen a career that aligns with that. There is a small group of people that represents a large body, and I believe to truly represent everyone, everyone has to be represented. I hope to be that representation one day, and help others believe that they can achieve what they set their minds to.

Everything I have accomplished for those around me has been fueled by compassion and dedication to serve. One must realize to be great, the biggest quality is to truly believe in serving your community and putting your all forward. Once you begin to serve those around you, you forge new connections, impact larger groups of people, leave a positive legacy, and that is what truly makes one great. Above all, the most important thing to remember is, “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.”