Senior Essay 21

Leadership is often defined by the titles we hold, but my experience has taught me that true leadership is defined by the responsibility we take for others. Whether it is navigating the complexities of the legal system or addressing the needs of my peers, my leadership is rooted in a commitment bridging the gap between the resources people need and the obstacles that stand in their way.

I’ve always believed that you can’t focus on your education if your basic needs aren’t met. That’s why during our junior year for our 20/20 leadership project, my peers and I founded our boutique, a school-based center that provides clothing and daily necessities for students. It wasn’t just about giving clothes away: it was about running a project where my peers could get their necessities without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. I managed logistics and led the team, but the real leadership was creating a safe space where everyone is respected and welcomed.

This same drive led me to help with the Cambio para Cambio. I saw how many students in our school were uncertain about how they would afford college and if they were able to pursue higher education. By fundraising, I’m not just raising money; I’m helping my classmates see that a future in higher education is possible for them.

My leadership also involves stepping up when things get difficult. When ICE enforcement started causing fear and anxiety in our community, I knew I couldn’t just sit back. I worked with legal experts to get the right facts and organized a Know Your Rights assembly for our students.

Taking that a step further, I traveled to the state Capital to speak directly with senators about the injustices happening with the Hispanic community. It was an intimidating environment to walk the hallways in the Capitol but I knew that I belonged in those spaces just as much as the people sitting across from me. Whether I am overseeing budgets as Student Council treasurer or representing my peers at Student Law Academy, I try to lead with a mix of professional responsibility and genuine care for the people I’m representing.

In the future, I want to become the kind of leader who makes the legal system less scary for regular people who may not have the proper knowledge about this complex system. I hope to become the kind of lawyer that just doesn’t work in the office, but stays active in the community. I want to lead initiatives that give people who are usually silenced by the system a voice.

I also plan to keep the door open for those who come after me. I wouldn’t be where I am without my mentors and many others who have supported me, so I want to lead by mentoring students. I want to show them how to navigate high school, college, and their careers. To me, being a leader in the future means making sure that the “gaps” I am bridging today eventually end up disappearing for good.