Senior Leadership Scholarship Essay 49

“Leadership often emerges in moments of injustice, when standing up for what is right becomes a necessity rather than a choice.” I never imagined I would witness racism in my own classroom, especially from a teacher. One day, my teacher called my African American friend a racist slur during class. Shocked and angry, he told me, and I was speechless. At first, I questioned if he might’ve misheard her, but when I looked at her, there was no guilt or shame in her face, and I knew he was telling the truth. She acted like nothing had happened. After witnessing this, I felt afraid as an Asian student and could only imagine how other students of color felt. Determined to take action, I reported the incident to the administration. Weeks passed, but nothing changed. Our teacher never apologized, and the school remained silent. I felt powerless and guilty for not being able to bring justice to my friend.
However, in my senior year, I learned that I was not alone. Other students had gone through similar situations and reported her, leading to her suspension. Seeing my chance to make things right, I stepped up to speak first during the investigation, hoping others would follow—and they did. At that moment, I knew justice was finally close.
But then, our teacher came back. No one expected it, and it made me furious. All our efforts against injustice seemed to be in vain. The school district ignored students once again. I refused to give up. Alongside my classmates, I organized a peaceful protest. We posted flyers on social media, signed petitions, and gathered as many people as possible. On the day of the protest, we stood together, determined to be heard. In the end, we never saw her again.
Through this experience, I learned how important it is to stand up for what you believe in because change doesn’t happen unless you take action. Initially, I doubted myself, thinking no one would take me seriously as a student. But I realized that anyone, regardless of their status, has the power to bring justice. Even when challenges seem overwhelming, taking action is necessary for meaningful change. My fellow students and I made a difference by saying no to racism and demanding justice.
This experience also fueled my determination to bring change in my family and community by pursuing a degree in Business Administration. My parents never had the opportunity to earn a high school education, and many in my Burmese community face the same barriers. But that stops now. I am committed to furthering my education, not just for my own success but to uplift those around me.
For my community, I am motivated to help low-income students by creating scholarships to support their higher education. Education provides opportunities for success and financial stability. Additionally, I plan to advocate for job opportunities for adults and parents to help them provide for their families. By doing so, I will not only transform lives in my community but also contribute to expanding cultural diversity in the workplace. Changing lives in our community can help shape the future and make history.I will be the first in my family to pursue higher education and the first Burmese-Chin in Kansas City to enter business administration. This journey has shaped my understanding of leadership—not as a title but as a responsibility to uplift others and create meaningful change. And I don’t plan to stop here; I will continue to be impactful and use my opportunities to drive success for myself and those around me.