Gene Denton Essay 6

My participation in Youth Lead KC has helped me grow into becoming a determined leader. By attending the workshop and networking events held by the program, I was able to practice and improve my leadership skills and professionalism in professional environments. By practicing in different environments, I’ve grown to adapt to change. This new skill helped me overcome my fear of speaking up by breaking out of my shell. All of a sudden, I had so many more opportunities that I didn’t have before. This eye-opening experience made me realize that my nerves were holding me back from achieving great things, teaching me a valuable life lesson: The way to success was to take action and be involved. 

Looking back I am reminded of  my most important leadership experience, an experience where I felt both the deepest regret and most proud of myself. I never fully believed that I was capable of leading a group, so I never tried to. Over time, the majority of the HOSA officers weren’t able to attend the weekly meetings. Being the secretary and the only attending officer, seeing no progress, I took action, I led meetings, updated agendas all while organizing and handling the fundraisers solo. I was proud of myself for leading, wishing I’d done it sooner. It felt natural, it felt right. At that moment I realized that I am capable of being a leader—a great one. I learned that not believing in myself and letting nerves and shyness take over was my biggest weakness—the thing that held me back from my full abilities. Reflecting back on these experiences, I don’t doubt myself or my capabilities. 

Feeling inspired by these moments, I’ve decided to further my education by taking risks and challenging myself with new things. After high school, I plan to study nursing. I’ve always been interested in the medical field since I was a child. The idea of getting to do the two things that I love at once is what pulls me towards it. I love helping people, and incorporating it with the science of medicine fascinates me, I am confident that I will be an amazing RN.

I noticed within my community that elderly people are in need of basic healthcare resources such as being unable to receive basic checkups. With that, I believe my future education could help me impact that need within my community by allowing me to participate in nonprofit organizations and events, using my knowledge and skills, I would be able to provide basic checkups to the elderly. 

I have demonstrated my leadership abilities and dedication to helping my community within my school by volunteering at every Harvester food distribution since my Freshman year of Highschool, starting in 2021, and hope to continue developing my leadership in the future by continuing to volunteer for similar events in college. I will use what I’ve learned—”I am capable of being a leader—a great one.”—to remind my future self that I can accomplish more than I think I can when I put my mind and heart to it.

In conclusion, I want to leave a legacy, which to me means leaving a mark, creating important values and skills, and passing them down along with valuable life lessons through generations, reminding each and every person to not let your worries restrain you and keep you from reaching your goals. Do not live in the dark, dwelling on missed opportunities, instead, use them as light and inspiration to guide you forward and to use your knowledge and resources to help those around you and in your community.