Leadership/Group Contributions

1. Leadership/Group Contributions: Describe examples of your leadership experience in which you significantly influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. Consider responsibilities to initiatives taken in or out of school.Required

I have played an intrinsic role in my school’s band and orchestra department through helping organizing performances, teaching classes, and tutoring individuals. On a regular basis, I am responsible for directing and teaching classes including beginning band, with grades ranging from fourth to twelfth, and more advanced ensembles like concert band and marching band. I also play an important role in their performances sometimes by directing and other times by contacting venues to organize dates and times for the shows. I also dedicate time during the week to help beginning players

practice and become more proficient on their instruments. Through all of the things I do for my band and orchestra program I have had a huge part in the growth and development of the program as well as the individuals in it.

2. Knowledge in a field/creativity: Describe any special interests and how you have developed knowledge in these areas. Give examples of your creativity- the ability to see alternatives; take diverse perspectives; come up with many, varied, or original ideas; or willingness to try new things.Required Student Government

Before eighth grade I had never been a musically inclined individual. Now, as a senior in high school, I can’t believe that I ever lived without it being a part of my life. I took up percussion in eighth grade, the baritone in tenth grade, the horn in eleventh grade, and the violin in twelfth grade. I continue to try to learn as much as I can about every instrument as I would love to fluent in all of them one day. As a musician and a performer, I am constantly challenged to improvise and adapt to situations that I may not have expected. Whether it be someone taking my music on accident or people starting one song instead of another I have learned to go along with anything thrown at me and to always learn from circumstances that I am put into.

3. Dealing with adversity: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge. Include whether you turned to anyone in facing the challenge, the role the person played, and what you learned about yourself.Required BAND

One of the biggest challenges I have faced recently is taking on the role of drum major for my marching band.

I knew before I auditioned for the role that it would be challenging. I knew that to be treated with the respect I wanted I would have to earn it and being a leader meant that someone at one point was always going to hate me or not like a decision I made. Yet, knowing all of this, it is still challenging. There are times where it seems like everyone hates me and days that I would rather go home and cry then have to deal with the constant criticism. One thing that I did not know before becoming drum major though was how much stronger it would make me and how those who speak out against me would be the people who encourage me to be better, even if that’s not their intention. Even though I have had many challenges in this role, it has made me so much stronger, more passionate, and a better person than I could have ever imagined.

4. Community service: Explain what you have done to make your community a better place to live. Give examples of specific projects in which you have been involved over time.Required

NHS

One of the biggest things I have done for the community is fostering for the Arizona Humane Society. I have been a foster home for injured or ill animals for about two years; fostering over one hundred animals including dogs, cats, and rabbits. Through doing this I have helped the shelter be able to take in more animals from the streets and be able to adopt out a larger number of them as well. I also do a lot of charity work with my National Honor Society with work ranging from cleaning streets to sorting through food for St. Mary’s Food Bank in central Phoenix.

5. Handling systemic challenges: Describe your experiences facing or witnessing discrimination. Tell us how you responded and what you learned from these experiences and how they have prepared you to contribute to the OSU community.Required Economic Security

I attend a very small school, each class only being about fifty people, and a lot of the people I attend school with are all fairly affluent. Of course, these days, it seems as if almost everyone classifies themselves as “poor,” but my family has known the true hardship of actually being extremely low income. Living that way has it’s own challenges, but I think what is most challenging is the lack of understanding and comprehension from my peers. It is not that they intentionally will look down on someone for having less than them, but they don’t understand the difficulty that comes with having very little money and in turn can be very discriminating. At the end of the day, though it is hard to live constantly trying to match myself with my friends, I am thankful that I know how hard it really can be for some people because I think understanding that will be something that makes me a well-rounded adult, colleague, and friend.

6. Goals/task commitment: Articulate the goals you have established for yourself and your efforts to accomplish these. Give at least one specific example that demonstrates your work ethic/diligence.Required

I think one of my biggest accomplishments throughout my high school career is my dedication to extra curricular activities. I have been involved in Student Government since freshman year, in National Honor Society since my sophomore year, and have also been involved in PTSA, prom committee, yearbook committee, and academic decathlon. This year in Student Government, as it is under new advisement, has been a fresh start. As someone who has been a part of the government for all of my high school career I have been a huge part in helping this new Student Government get off of it’s feet and have been a counselor for all the current officers as well as serving as Senior Class Representative. In addition my involvement in Student Government, I am also the president of my National Honor Society and the secretary of prom committee. I have not missed a meeting or a group volunteer outing yet this year and don’t plan to. I always try my hardest to give up as much of time to these activities and to be reliable and I believe that I have been successful in doing so.