Senior Leadership Scholarship Essay 20

My community has always been important to me. It’s shaped who I am today. Because of that, I’ve always felt the need to give back. I believe you should invest in what invests in you.

The hard part was figuring out how. I didn’t just want to help, I wanted to actually make a difference. I’ve always been interested in how local government works and how the decisions made by leaders impact everyday life. After doing some research, I found the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council (MYLC), a program focused on giving the youth a voice and making real change in the community. It felt like exactly what I was looking for.

At MYLC, I got my first real look at how the Unified Government operates. I learned about the roles of commissioners and how important their decisions are. Our first major assignment was identifying key issues affecting Wyandotte County. Because our county is so diverse with urban, suburban, and rural areas it was tough to find a problem that impacted everyone. But after a lot of discussion, my team and I landed on a big one: the lack of essential resources.

We saw how food insecurity, limited support for low-income families, gaps in medical and mental health care, and abandoned buildings were all major issues. And they weren’t just isolated to certain neighborhoods; they affected the entire county, just in different ways. We wanted to come up with a solution that tackled multiple problems at once.

That’s when we developed the idea for “Helping Hubs” turning abandoned buildings into resource centers where people could access food, medical care, and other support services. Not only would this help people get what they need, but it would also revitalize rundown areas by putting empty buildings to good use.

After coming up with our plan, we had to present it to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners. We had a month to prepare, and I wanted to make sure I was ready. I practiced my part over and over because I knew how important first impressions are.

On the day of the presentation, I was nervous. My heart was racing, but I reminded myself why I was there to stand up for my community. I took a deep breath, smiled, and spoke with confidence. When we finished, the response was better than I ever expected. The Mayor and commissioners loved our idea and were impressed with our effort. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I knew this was the beginning of something that could make a significant impact. This experience taught me something huge. Your age is irrelevant when you want to make a difference. It’s not about age or experience, it’s about stepping up and taking action. Now, I know that no matter how big or small a challenge seems, I’m capable of making an impact.

o Being able to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and consider others is a key aspect of leadership and a valuable life skill that I will carry with me. As an aspiring filmmaker, being a problem solver is essential. There will always be challenges—whether it’s dealing with budget constraints, costume issues, or other obstacles but by thinking creatively and staying resourceful, I can find the best possible solutions. MYLC has played a significant role in helping me develop and practice these problem-solving skills, allowing me to grow as both a leader and a filmmaker.

Being part of MYLC changed me. It got me more involved in my community, helped me understand how local government works, and made me a better leader. Most importantly, it showed me that my voice matters. I’m excited to keep working on this project and to find even more ways to give back to the community that shaped me.