I always strive to positively impact those around me and hold several traditional leadership roles. I am Captain of my school's Varsity Step Team, Secretary of Science National Honor Society, and Vice President of Helping Heroes Club. However, I believe that helping others extend far beyond the ordinary opportunities presented by titles or positions. When I was in middle school, my younger brother was diagnosed with a rare malignant brain tumor. My life was turned upside down. I spent many days sitting in hospital waiting rooms while my brother underwent treatment. One day while sitting at the hospital craft table, the only place for kids in the waiting room, a young girl motioned for me to help her make a beaded bracelet. I assembled the …show more content…
bracelet with the cord and beads she pushed my way. She smiled as I tied the bracelet onto her wrist and was escorted out a few minutes later; I could hear her giggling down the hall where she was to begin her grueling cancer treatment. I was twelve years old and in seventh grade at the time, but I realized that seemingly small things could make a big difference.
I did not need a large group to make a positive impact; I simply needed to open my eyes to those around me. I began making bracelets myself at home to give to the children at the hospital. Though I never met most of the recipients, the experience empowered me to become involved with those around me, especially as I entered high school. I started small by tutoring peers, volunteering at the local media/library, and collecting reusable shopping bags for local food banks so patrons could more easily transport food home. All are seemingly small gestures that make a big impact on the lives of the people they touch. As a rising junior, I began seeking out opportunities to impact the community and I found Pal’s Paradise: a summer camp run through the Children’s Specialized Hospital for children with special needs. I volunteered two summer as a counselor at the camp. More than anything else during my time there, I was stunned by the optimism and energy these children had despite their situations; all they needed was support and motivation. At the conclusion of camp, I felt emotionally tied to many of my campers. They truly were my campers. With each project I engage in, I feel as though I strengthen both the community and my drive to do more than I previously thought
possible. My largest contribution to the community, however, stems from my work with the American Red Cross. During my time at the hospital with my brother, I discovered the unfortunate truth about blood transfusions: shortages are extremely common in the summer and winter months. After seeing what my brother and others in his situation had gone through, I wanted to try and remedy the problem, so I contacted a local Red Cross representative about hosting my own blood drive. Over a five month period, I organized, headed, recruited and advertised for a blood drive of my own undertaking (December 2015). The representative had set a quota of 25 donations, which I far surpassed with a total of 41 donations. It was a great feeling to know that I was physically saving lives. I organized a second blood drive in July 2016, and am in the process of planning my third blood drive, which is set for this summer. With each project, my desire to serve is reignited. Consequently, I have a new appreciation for the so-called little things. As I prepare to graduate from Colts Neck High School and move into the next stage of life, I know I will seek out every opportunity to act, even if that means just lending a hand.
I have always admired people with good leadership. The ability to influence others positively is something I respect. I have leadership experiences myself with sports teams and helping younger kids, but I witness leadership every day. Whether it’s seeing someone promote a school event or just being happy that day. Being able to inspire others gives me an incredible feeling because I know important it really is to be a leader.
Throughout everyday tasks in the classroom, or outside of school, I step up and lead those who need to be led. I constantly find new opportunities to lead others and help the situation any way I can. Every summer the band has a marching band camp for a week straight that we must all attend. Being an experienced band member, I step up and assist all underclassmen and show then where to go and what they need to be doing. Instead of getting frustrated when giving the freshman directions, I am calm and collect and walk them step by step until they understand, something most leaders would not have time or patience for. With many plans to help others and lead within my community, I believe that I have what it takes to be a strong, and powerful leader for the National Honor Society.
Being in a school that brought students from various counties and cities with different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives, opened my eyes to seeing just how diverse humanity is. In a time when everyone is struggling with personal problems, I know how monumental a simple volunteer act can be. One of my favorite acts of service is tutoring. I tutored an elementary-aged girl for two years in Fort Lee and I will always remember those two years as the most fulfilling. Education is so precious, and children are the most open to it. Not only was I able to teach her math and reading comprehension skills, but how to carry herself as a smart and extraordinarily capable young lady. In return, she taught me patience and how sometimes you just need to approach a problem differently to see the
As a student in her sophomore year, I am still learning about what I can do and what I want to do. Although I am young, my mother always told me that it is never too early to start thinking about the future, which is why it is an honor to be able to apply for the membership of being part of National Honor Society. I have always loved challenges no matter what the result because nothing is equal to the experience of trying. I take the things I have learned from my past experiences and use them as a guide to help me in the future. I haven't ever once stopped to give up if I encountered an obstacle, but rather embraced it and thought of ways to overcome them.
Writing essays was never my forte, it just never came easy to me like it would to others. Since other subjects came easy to me and I had to focus more than others on writing, I had a negative attitude toward the process as a whole. During this summer semester, I was able to grow as a writer, and gain a more positive attitude toward how I write and a better feel for writing in college. Writing a paper is a process in which there are many different stages. In high school I would never write outlines or any sort of pre planning work. Other struggles I encountered in my writing were my theses, and framing quotes.
As someone who has always admired the prestige and character of the National Honor Society, I am honored to have received a nomination. I view the National Honor Society as a very noble organization comprised of hard working, intelligent people committed to giving back to the communities that have helped them realize and reach their potential. I believe that both the program and I would benefit by the contribution of my skills, values, and leadership.
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I am deeply grateful to be given the opportunity to apply to such an important organization as National Honor Society. To me, it reflects that I have achieved my goal of working as hard as I can to set an example in both my school and community, and I could not be more honored. This organization does great things for any community it touches, and I believe that I can play a part in furthering the impression that is made.
When things are getting tough and people are looking for someone to take charge, I want that person to be me. I believe that I was born to be a leader, because my best work results from when I get control in a situation. In a group setting, something could be as small as a playing a board game or as big a final project, if I want it to go well then I need the lead. All through my life I have held informal leadership roles, such as the ones mentioned previously, and have earned formal leadership positions as well. A particular formal role that I have possessed was being elected captain of my high school varsity basketball team. This role taught me a lot about how to execute with a group of differently skilled people all seeking a common goal, a major component in leadership. The other position I held was being a Peer Leader for my high school, a club that involves mentoring underclassmen in their transition from middle school. This experience taught me to direct a different dynamic, people who need to be taught as well as lead.
Throughout my life, I have always been a leader. I’ve learned many things from being key club president. It changed my entire attitude and outlook toward life. Before high school, I was shy and had low self-esteem. Joining organizations in high school altered all of these qualities.
I participated in activities like the planning of a dance called “The Snowball”, a field day called “Unity Day”, and fundraising. Feeling that leadership was something I enjoyed and was a natural at, as a sophomore, I ran and was elected treasurer for my class. I began to see myself as a leader and was an integral part of increasing our school participation in student council and events at school. In my junior year I was again voted treasurer for my class, and in student council, I was elected to the executive board which runs student council. I was proud that not only was I enjoying the leadership roles, but both students and teachers were viewing me as a leader as well.
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 ...
These brought me the high ability of empathy for others because there were many chances to observe, feel and experience the hard times they felt. I developed my teamwork and leadership skills thanks to school Social Service Club. As a vice president, I organized campus events and activities for interacting with children in an orphanage. In a New Year party for homeless children planned by me, we as club members celebrated the New Year with them. I sold homemade cupcakes and pizza slices at school to raise money for the aid of various low-income schools in different cities of Turkey.
We showed a few videos and did some activities that showed the students at our school that they are not alone. I saw many children that were in tears after watching some of the videos or participating in an activity. This helped me to realize how much of an impact I could have on people. We made bracelets to give to each student and asked that they wear them to support bullying prevention. This program we put on really seemed to make a difference at our school, because students were now aware that they had peers that had their back and were supporting them through anything they would go through.
As a leader, I strive to be honest, loyal, responsible, humble, fair, kind, and respectful. I believe the first and most important action a leader should take is to serve and I try my best to serve the best interests of my team every day. Along with leading this team, I have had the opportunity to help lead outreach projects. My church is always reaching out to those in need, but once every year we have a “Serve Day” where most of the members of our church go out into the community and meet a variety of needs in surrounding neighborhoods.