Senior Essay 51

Leadership, to me, has never meant control. It has meant survival, steadiness, and service. Before I ever held a title, I was learning how to lead simply by navigating life. I often describe myself as a fish once lost in dark waters, unsure of where I belonged. Growing up in an abusive household shaped me early. When my mother and I moved, first to Florida and later back to Kansas City, my life felt like it was constantly being uprooted. My freshman year was one of the lowest points of my life. Depression followed me across state lines, and I struggled to see purpose in anything.
Theatre changed that.
When I joined my first production, I did not step into leadership immediately. I stepped into healing. Playing Horton in Seussical the Musical gave me confidence I did not know I lacked. But as I continued performing sewing costumes, designing lights, learning harmonies . I began to notice something shift. The underclassmen asked me for help. Castmates came to me when tensions rose. Without realizing it, I was becoming someone others relied on.
My leadership was tested during a dance heavy production when our choreographer stopped attending rehearsals consistently. The cast was overwhelmed and frustrated. At the same time, I was working to help pay for my Thespian trip, balancing homework, assisting with costumes and lights, and helping care for my younger brothers at home. I remember feeling stretched thin, reviewing choreography late at night after my siblings were asleep, knowing I would wake up early for school and rehearsal again the next day.
It would have been easy to detach or complain. Instead, I stepped in. I organized smaller run-through groups, helped clean choreography, and stayed after rehearsal to review counts with anyone who felt unsure. I chose to be steady even when I felt overwhelmed. Leadership, in that moment, meant absorbing pressure so others could focus on performing their best.
Beyond productions, I have demonstrated leadership through formal roles as Thespian President, Class Vice President, and a member of NHS. As President, I focus on creating an inclusive environment where every student — whether lead actor or first-time crew member — feels valued. I prioritize communication, organization, and leading by example. As Lead Critic for our Kansas City Cappies team, I practice fairness and integrity, understanding that words hold power in artistic spaces.
Balancing school, work, extracurricular leadership, and family responsibilities has required discipline and time management. I learned to advocate for myself, communicate clearly with adults, and hold myself accountable. More importantly, I learned that leadership is not about recognition; it is about impact. When peers see consistency, effort, and resilience modeled daily, it shifts what feels possible for them.
In the future, I hope to demonstrate leadership by building spaces that provide the same sense of refuge and growth that theatre gave me. I plan to pursue Musical Theatre and Accounting so that I can not only perform professionally but also open a low-income voice, acting, and dance studio. Many talented students lack access to professional training simply because of financial barriers. I understand that reality personally. I want to remove that barrier for others.
Leadership saved me long before I understood the word. It looked like showing up when I was exhausted. It looked like choosing growth over bitterness. It looked like helping others find confidence while I was still rebuilding my own.
In the future, I will continue leading not just through titles, but through action by creating opportunities, mentoring young artists, and building environments where students can find their own light.
Because once you learn how to swim toward purpose, you cannot help but guide others to the surface too.