I never imagined being mayor by the age of seventeen, even if it was only for one week. The summer after my junior year of high school I was selected to attend ALA Virginia Girls State, an honorary program. Upon arriving I was bubbling with excitement knowing that this was my chance to do something big. That night we assembled within our cities to hold elections for city office positions. When the title of mayor was announced my hand shot up in the air before I could even think. It was as if something inside me was pushing me to dream bigger. Though it was overwhelming to run against girls who were just as driven and qualified for the position, I held my ground, having faith that this was what I was meant to do. My heart was beating out of
The fourth chapter of City Politics by Dennis R. Judd & Todd Swanstrom covers the rise of "Reform Politics" with many local governments during the first half of the 1900s as a way to combat the entrenched political machines that took control of many large city governments in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Over the course of the chapter, Judd & Swanstrom quickly cover the history of the "reform movement" with different examples of how the reform movement affected city politics in different areas.
“Do I have to go? I mean, it’s not required for me to finish high school or anything. It’s just something you want me to do,” I pleaded with my parents. “Yes you have to go and there’s no way you’re going to get out of it either. It’ll be a good experience for you, and you might even make some new friends,” my father replied. Tomorrow I was going to HOBY, which stands for Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. It is specifically for sophomores in high school and I was chosen to be one of the candidates to represent my school for the year twenty fifteen. There are many HOBYs around the United States, but I was going to HOBY Ohio West located at the Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. The seminar started on June fourth and concluded on the seventh. This was a four day event and I wouldn’t see my family for two of the days. I had just turned sixteen in April and I had never stayed more than an hour away from my family for a night or two. It was very nerve-wracking for me, but I had to go no matter what. Little did I know that this experience would make me into the more confident young woman I am today.
On Monday, April 13th, 2009, I visited the Culver City city council meeting, and found that they operate using a council-manager form of government. For a city with a population of about 38,000, this type of governmental structure is fairly common, and I was not surprised to see it in action in a community where the median household income is around $56,000 a year. Culver City is also a culturally rich community with a 60 percent Caucasian population, and a quarter of the residents are either of African American or Asian decent. The mayor, D. Scott Malsin, is one of five members on the council, and his term as mayor is on a rotating basis. Having been to a Hermosa Beach city council meeting with a similar council-manager structure, I knew what to expect.
So, I began to show who I was and did not let any intimidation bring me down. During my time at California Girls State, I ran for office positions, was involved in many debates, and befriended
Earlier this year, I was selected as my local chapter’s delegate to the American Legion Jersey Boys State. This was a new experience for me as this was the first time I was away from home with no one I knew. The main focus of that weeklong seminar was elections and although I knew I was competing against some of the best students in the state, I wanted to see what I could do. So I ran to be my floor’s ward leader, and won. Then I ran for my city council member, and won. Then I ran to by my county Vice-chair, and won. Then I ran to be my county senator, and lost. This was by far the most disappointing moment of the week. I had worked hard to climb up the mock political ladder and even had started imagining making it to the top. However, the
Geiger, Kim. "Washington Mayor Faces Reelection Battle despite Accomplishments." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 14 Sept. 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
When I first contacted the Rutherford County Elections Coordinator, I talked to her boss, Alan Farley. I have known Alan since I started here at Middle Tennessee State University. He is the Elections Administrator. At the beginning, I believed that I was to interview him. He thought that it was odd because he is not employed by Rutherford County. He is employed by a board, and his job description is in a Tennessee State Handbook. When I arrived to my interview with him, he realized that I was to interview Rhonda McFerrin, the elections coordinator. This was not a problem. He even sat in on our interview.
The temperature dropped to a frigid ten degrees fahrenheit with a -15 degree wind chill factor in Title Town. The only thing easily seen in the fog was my teammate’s and the thousands of spectator’s breath hovering in the air like a ghost. The championship game was set to start in 15 minutes. My flag football team and I sat on the Green Bay Packers sideline because we won our final game. I eagerly watched my favorite wide receiver, Jordy Nelson, catch the football when suddenly Aaron Rodgers approached me and started talking to me. At first he just discussed the throwing technique that he uses because we were both quarterbacks, but when I told him that I threw for two touchdowns and ran for one he seemed surprised and asked for my autograph.
On March 5, 2018, the complainant and the defendant reported to the Metropolitan Police Department that they were involved in a physical alteration inside the 7-11 Store, located at 4854 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave, NE, Washington, DC.
Since I was a young girl, I have always aspired to be someone who lifts people up and positively impacts my community. Throughout the past few years, I have taken on several different leadership roles through organizations that I have participated in. The skills I have developed from these roles has given me the opportunity to grow into the inspiring woman I used to dream of within my school, with my friends, and with my family.
I do not like my school. All City Leadership Secondary School’s (ACLA) population of approximately 400 people consists of 6th to 12th grade students as well as staff members. We’re our own little town, where everyone is acquainted with one another. Staff members greet us each morning by saying “good morning” with astounding enthusiasm. On a typical school day a student, having been taught the importance of courtesy, does not pass by an adult without saying, “good morning, sir/ma’am.” The adult, assuming he/she heard the student, will acknowledge him or her and say “good morning”. They then separate to go about their days. I have attended ACLA since 6th grade and had the option in 8th grade to apply to highly ranked schools like Stuyvesant
“Who’s going to step up?”. “Who’s going to change this?”. People ask these questions everyday. I realize that I have never truly thought about the defining characteristics of a leader. I was given a list of qualities and upon reading it, I proudly realized that I demonstrate leadership. But the important consideration should not be how I successfully match this definition, but instead why I do it. I was elected treasurer for the class of 2016, a student body elected official, and hold that position of responsibility by attending meetings weekly, promoting school activities (such as homecoming), and participating in student council planning and events as much as possible. I wanted to become treasurer because I wanted a say in decisions that impacted our class. I wanted to be recognized as an individual that my peers could come to with questions and concerns.
Have you ever thought of going to the police academy and serving your community? That’s exactly what my father Jerald Perkett did. Jerald sat down with me at the kitchen and was in his regular work clothes, a quicksilver shirt and jeans. He looked very serious and ready for the interview because he was very familiar with interviews. I looked at him and slowly let out the words, “are you ready?” and the first question came.
“If you can write it and you can say it, you can do it.” In a single sentence Professor Eric Claville succeeded in attracting me to the study of public administration. Sitting in Introduction to Public Policy class, I was instantly fascinated by the idea that through effective communication I could improve policies and programs to better serve the public. Professor Claville’s lessons enabled me to think analytically as I developed a scholarly policy brief entitled “Enforcing a State-wide Texting While Driving Law in Arizona”. Soon, I was faced with the notion that public administration was not only an agent for change, but a tool to fulfill my passion. It is a possible pathway to take on a leadership role that would make a difference for disadvantaged groups.
Besides academics, fine arts and sports in school, I have attained leading roles in different groups. This year, I am the Spirit Leader of Student Council encouraging monthly goals and themes and assisting in school events. From creating a student council with a group of peers three years ago we have had success in many events and have found new ways to spread spirit, gather important information and assist with financial groups. Recently, I stepped up to be the leader of the fundraising committee for our ...