Student Leadership Application Essay

Siena Pugay
7th grade
Student Leadership Application

2018 - 2019 Student Leadership Short Answers

1. What constitutes being an effective student leader and how do you demonstrate those characteristics?

To me, there are countless attributes to become not only, a leader, but a student leader at St. Raymond school. The list is long when describing certain qualities to be a leader. However, I think that being a student leader requires five basic attributes: independence, creativity, perseverance, improvisation, and of course, leadership. I think I demonstrate these qualities well, in a variety of ways. Out of all the attributes I picked, I think I feel that I demonstrate improvisation, independence, and leadership the most. I feel that I prefer to take initiative when it comes to being in a group, either academically or in extra-curricular activities, and I am usually chosen to be responsible for a group. I like to lead and guide others to success, which leads to perseverance. Especially when I’m the leader in the group, I will never skip over a question on a worksheet or a math problem, because I won’t stop until I figure it out. I will persist and stick to a plan.
Improvisation is also quite important because it requires cleverness and fast thinking. You never know if there’s extra reminder to be said at an all-school assembly or an

accident happens and you need someone to improvise to make sure it is smooth. Although organization is important and so is carefully planning a plan, improvisation is just as essential. I have learned improvisation techniques, not specifically for leadership, but for acting. When a prop is missing onstage or when someone misses a cue, it’s always helpful to improvise so no one has the slightest idea if it was a mistake or if it was part of the show. I think I demonstrate independence as well. Although I like to socialize, I also like to work alone. This allows me to generate my own ideas easily. I usually work on my homework and projects without any guidance because I find it easier.
I find myself being more of a dreamer than being a logistician. I prefer to think more creatively than logically and can bring my creativity to the 2018-2019 Leadership team. I like to express myself through art, and find myself more organized in this area.

2. Identify and explain three specific talents, qualities, or experiences that you will bring to the Student leadership team in your leadership role.

I think my favorite aspect of getting the exclusive chance to be part of Student Leadership is being a leader to kids, especially those who are younger than me. I love to babysit and take care of younger kids, but I can’t find just one reason to. I’ve taken time out of a weekend to take care of a class of kids and volunteered (very eagerly) to watch over my relatives, which are some but not all of my experiences with babysitting. I love leading little kids and teaching them what’s wrong and what’s right, making sure I can leave even the tiniest of footprints onto their bright future. I think babysitting and volunteering to watch over kids has been something that has taught me the most responsibility over the years. Being honest, I don’t know how parents do it.
One of the biggest qualities of myself that I can bring to Student Leadership is my energy. I have a lot of it and have a lot to spare, and I can motivate myself easily to speak in front of a large audience. I find myself to be very positive and light-hearted most of the time. I think I can bring my energy to help with rallies and school assemblies. I also think I am able to be on top of things, even in high-pressured or situations where there is a heavy workload. Even if I am doing extracurricular activities, I work hard to make sure I keep up with my schoolwork and spend late nights if I have to, making sure I do my best work.

3. How will you organize your time to complete both school and leadership tasks?

` Using my experience of doing extracurricular activities, (such as missing days for tours, plays, and shows) I feel I can handle leadership and school.

Sometimes, when I miss days for said activities, I go over my calendar and write specific assignments or tests that I need to take while I’m back. I find that writing notes down and posting reminders help me the most, which has come a good habit for me this year. I also check RenWeb for missing assignments and ask others what was missed. I think I can use the skill of organization and writing important notes down for balancing leadership, school, and extracurricular

activities.

4. What SLE of St. Raymond School do you find to be most important? Explain which SLE you have chosen and its importance.

My last application, I chose the ‘I Have a Love of Learning’ SLE. It has always been the one I leaned towards to and the SLE I succeeded in the most. I feel as if, almost, it came easy to me. I also noticed how unbelievably short the response was to the question; it was entirely consisted of one sentence. (This response might get just the tiniest bit lengthy, though.) However, this year, I am choosing the one that I feel I need to focus on this year. I think the ‘I am Faith-Centered SLE’ is the one I find to be the most important. As I write this letter and after I picked this SLE, I quickly noticed that the SLE says ‘I am Faith-Centered’. I typed in the definition and what popped up was: ‘have or cause to have something as (a major concern or theme).’ In other words, the SLE is reminding us about being centered on, or being entirely concerned and focused on, faith.
One of my goals this seventh grade year, and soon to be eighth, was to be focused on, or more or less, centered, on our faith. I began praying, not only more, but more sincerely. I started to become more grateful for what I had, and for the the past years I have had at the school. The friends I’ve made, the teachers I’ve learned so much from, my family who sent me here, and even my fellow students, who will be the future of St. Raymond’s. I’ve tried to be more positive this year, as if I’m not positive enough, and I know I have surrounded myself with good people, not only in school but outside as well. I hope to keep that message of our SLE in mind; that we all need to be not only faithful, but faith-centered. I hope that I can bring that grateful and positive attitude towards Student Leadership.

5. What three qualities do you believe you can bring to St. Raymond School that will make you a qualified student body president?

Like I said above, I hope to bring my positivity and energy to Student Leadership, especially in the Student Body president role. I want to be a leader who will motivate the rest of the students on leadership, and our whole school. I want to share the message that everyone should believe in themselves, and when they make a mistake, they try, and try, and try over and over again. I want others to be positive, and to not focus on their mistakes, but what will help them grow from there. I hope that I can bring my love of leading and taking initiative also, knowing that I won’t just be ‘The Student Body President of St. Raymond’s’, but I will be a leader for the students. I think I can bring my productiveness and my perseverance to the team. I can help others push past problems that will help the school, and make the right decisions.