Royals 13

During my time in high school, I have had the opportunity to step into many leadership roles in different organizations. The most significant leadership role I have taken on is becoming captain of our school’s dance team.  As captain, I was responsible for leading a group of diverse individuals, each with their backgrounds and talents, and leading them towards a shared goal. I set an example for my teammates, exhibiting commitment, integrity, and resilience as well as learning the true meaning of leading by example. This experience has undoubtedly prepared me to handle the rigors of the career I have chosen to pursue, which is becoming a high school educator.  I want to take what I have learned throughout my high school career and use those skills to impact and inspire other students.

As the captain of my high school’s dance team, I realize the importance of being a role model when it comes to motivating and guiding my teammates. This irreplaceable experience has taught me the value of effective communication through coordinating practices, handling conflicts, and creating a positive team environment. Through the trials and achievements of leading the team, I came to realize the impact of mentorship and support. I have faced many different challenges while captaining. These experiences allowed me to discover my strengths and weaknesses in leadership when I had to resolve disagreements and make difficult decisions for the team’s benefit. This role offered me opportunities to grow as a leader by learning to communicate effectively, foster team spirit, and adapt to unexpected changes. The role required me to lead a group of eleven girls, with diverse dancing abilities to learn the same routine, in the same amount of time, and still have it look professional. This kind of experience pushes a captain’s abilities to the limit and finds creative ways to help the girls learn to the best of their capacities. The leadership skills I learned and strengthened were empowering to me.

The biggest challenge I have faced was leading my team through competition. Competition is something where everyone must give the same energy and passion. It is hard to lead a team when all have different dance histories but in the end, it is with it.

In my future, I aspire to harness the skills I’ve honed as a team captain. I have had the opportunity to understand the true essence of teamwork and discipline. Leading the team meant finding ways to inspire and motivate each member to strive for excellence. I had to juggle the responsibilities of being a student, a leader, and a performer. This required exceptional time management and organizational skills. The discipline required to balance academics, dance, and leadership taught me the importance of prioritization and being able to work well under pressure. This transformative experience sparked the desire within me to nurture these qualities in future generations through teaching.

In the future, I aspire to use my leadership skills to cultivate young minds. I see the need for strong leadership within the classroom. If I can use everything that I have learned along the way, I can positively impact many students and pass along skills that make great citizens. I want to be that teacher that students can connect with and be a role model for what they can aspire to be as well. I see the need for a change in our classrooms and teachers, and there is no better way to make a great impact than stepping right into the role that will make that difference.  I realized that my leadership skills and passion for teaching could be used to inspire and guide students in the classroom. Through leading the dance team, I learned the importance of patience, effective communication, and the ability to motivate a diverse group of individuals. I realized that these skills could be directly applied to the role of a high school teacher, where I could create a positive and inclusive learning environment. I was inspired due to the direct impact I could have on students’ lives and the opportunity to instill in them the same love for learning and personal growth that I fostered within my dance team.

Through my time as a dance team captain, I have gained clarity on my future path as an educator, striving to foster a supportive and inspiring environment for students to flourish. The ability to lead, motivate, and positively influence my peers through dance has inspired me to pursue a career as a high school teacher, where I can continue to empower young minds and nurture their talents.