My soccer coach had told me that to be a great leader, you must first display sportsmanship on the field. I firmly believe that sportsmanship includes one’s ability to embody charisma with your teammates or opponent, but rather transform your knowledge of excellent character in the classrooms, community, and global issues. My parents instilled the true meaning of good sportsmanship by saying, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” It was not until I started playing sports that I realized this statement’s meaning. While participating in a variety of sports, I have witnessed numerous arguments between referees, players, and coaches. When I realized that these conflicts were pulling us apart, I took it as my initiative to portray the best attitude and conduct so that my teammates could follow suit. For me, sportsmanship is not just about “giving high-fives,” but expressing your charisma as a leader to show that you genuinely love the game. Winning and losing come and go, but the impact that you leave on your coach, teammates, referees, and opponents is forever. As it is essential to be a leader on the field, I believe it is significant to exhibit sportsmanship even in school. For years, I have been accustomed to going to school, going from one practice to another, and coming home to do homework. From the tiredness and exhaustion that I have endured, I learned that patience is critical. Patience is a virtue that athletes must express to be a leader, and once established, only then can you help others around you. For instance, whenever my classmates, club members, or even fellow class officers need guidance in a situation, I am always willing to help them. By doing this, those around me became leaders because they did what was difficult and inspired others to do the same. To me, leadership is not only exhibited in sports, but it is essential in the classroom. Leadership in the classroom has paved the way for me to take action in my community. Along with patience, sportsmanship, to me, is the ability to come together as a team to combat issues within society. My most rewarding experience in portraying leadership was my trip to Nigeria in 2018. Although my family and I were not a part of a community-based organization, we still contributed a tremendous amount to the communities that have limited access to these items. We spent our days distributing clothes, shoes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, toys, and food to families that lived in the community. My trip to Nigeria opened my eyes to see that, too often, I take life for granted. When access to necessities has always been there for me, my family and other families in Nigeria did experience that. It has made me more compassionate to people living in stressful situations and has motivated me to help as much as I can. Community service has brought out the genuine sportsmanship qualities that I possess off the field. Team culture on and off the field is based around hard work, but most notably, respect. This is a fundamental value that I believe wholeheartedly represents sportsmanship. Using your charisma and being of help to people in times of need is what truly matters. I want to be the teammate, the classmate, and the student that people feel inspired by to peacefully take action on and off the field. Sportsmanship is the identical twin to leadership. To be a leader, you have to be willing to act selflessly in ways that benefit everyone.

My soccer coach had told me that to be a great leader, you must first display sportsmanship on the field. I firmly believe that sportsmanship includes one’s ability to embody charisma with your teammates or opponent, but rather transform your knowledge of excellent character in the classrooms, community, and global issues. My parents instilled the true meaning of good sportsmanship by saying, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” It was not until I started playing sports that I realized this statement’s meaning. While participating in a variety of sports, I have witnessed numerous arguments between referees, players, and coaches. When I realized that these conflicts were pulling us apart, I took it as my initiative to portray the best attitude and conduct so that my teammates could follow suit. For me, sportsmanship is not just about “giving high-fives,” but expressing your charisma as a leader to show that you genuinely love the game. Winning and losing come and go, but the impact that you leave on your coach, teammates, referees, and opponents is forever. As it is essential to be a leader on the field, I believe it is significant to exhibit sportsmanship even in school. For years, I have been accustomed to going to school, going from one practice to another, and coming home to do homework. From the tiredness and exhaustion that I have endured, I learned that patience is critical. Patience is a virtue that athletes must express to be a leader, and once established, only then can you help others around you. For instance, whenever my classmates, club members, or even fellow class officers need guidance in a situation, I am always willing to help them. By doing this, those around me became leaders because they did what was difficult and inspired others to do the same. To me, leadership is not only exhibited in sports, but it is essential in the classroom. Leadership in the classroom has paved the way for me to take action in my community. Along with patience, sportsmanship, to me, is the ability to come together as a team to combat issues within society. My most rewarding experience in portraying leadership was my trip to Nigeria in 2018. Although my family and I were not a part of a community-based organization, we still contributed a tremendous amount to the communities that have limited access to these items. We spent our days distributing clothes, shoes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, toys, and food to families that lived in the community. My trip to Nigeria opened my eyes to see that, too often, I take life for granted. When access to necessities has always been there for me, my family and other families in Nigeria did experience that. It has made me more compassionate to people living in stressful situations and has motivated me to help as much as I can. Community service has brought out the genuine sportsmanship qualities that I possess off the field. Team culture on and off the field is based around hard work, but most notably, respect. This is a fundamental value that I believe wholeheartedly represents sportsmanship. Using your charisma and being of help to people in times of need is what truly matters. I want to be the teammate, the classmate, and the student that people feel inspired by to peacefully take action on and off the field. Sportsmanship is the identical twin to leadership. To be a leader, you have to be willing to act selflessly in ways that benefit everyone.

Growing up, I had the unique experience of having parents born in two different countries: Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Thus, my father is Muslim and my mother is Christian. I was enrolled at a Catholic school from kindergarten to eighth grade, and attend an Islamic school on Saturdays. The diversity exposed me to the contrasting treatment of said religions. When I wore the hijab, I felt the weight of judgmental stares, embarrassed or even ashamed of this headpiece on my head. I often remember holding my head down, afraid to see the disgust on strangers’ faces. However, I felt accepted when I wore the Catholic cross around my neck. I was greeted with smiles and nods from people I had never met. Stepping in the shoes of different perspectives opened my eyes to the persecution around me. As I sat with my parents watching the news in 2015, Donald J. Trump announced a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” Although I was in fourth grade and had a limited understanding of politics, I was choked with fears. I was withdrawn from the Islamic school I had attended and ceased any discussions of my father’s religion in public. On November 8, 2016, Trump was elected into office as President of the United States, and the probability of the Muslim ban threatened my family. At first, I was angry that my father had moved from Nigeria to America for a better life and was not dealt with the promise of the “American Dream.” Then, I agonized over the uncertain future - would my father, an American citizen of over two decades, be deported to Nigeria? Would my Muslim family ever be able to visit the country again? Would I grow up fatherless, never to see him again? That night, I passionately prayed to God, to Allah, to any Being that would listen, desperately pleading, “Save my Dad.” I had thought I understood what it was like to be Muslim and live in fear years prior, but it was that day when that 'understood' became experienced. I am eternally grateful that my father rightfully remained safely in America. From an early age, I have advocated against injustice, but it was in 2016 that I wholeheartedly embraced activism to shed light on the injustices prevalent around the world. I vowed to change someone’s life so that they would not face the emotions that I have felt. Whether it is one person or a million people, I am passionately committed to being the agent of change that this world desperately needs. I strive to receive a bachelor’s in political science and continue my education in law school. My experiences as a teen activist demonstrate my resilience and dedication to being a voice for those in need. Witnessing my parents struggle as immigrants fueled me to challenge the societal perceptions of minorities and overcome obstacles in the years to come.

During my junior year spring track and field season, my fellow co-captain and I were stripped of our captaincy title. I was confused, angry, and above all, humiliated that my hard work had gone unnoticed. I spoke with my coach and asked for details because I was determined to understand the reasoning behind this choice. He admitted that, in his assessment, the captains had failed to reach their competitive potential, displaying a lackluster commitment to practice, and poor leadership qualities towards their teammates during the winter season. Later that night, I had no intentions of becoming a captain anymore, I had given up on my goals. Defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, grit is the "courage and strength of mind that makes it possible for somebody to continue doing something difficult or unpleasant." Throughout my high school years and time spent within my local community, I have come to recognize grit as the capacity to conquer arduous tasks while embracing the passion underlying any given endeavor. It does not matter if someone is not as adroit or intelligent as their peers, but perseverance can help someone achieve a long-term goal. The following day, I had come to practice and worked ten times harder than I had the season before. Oftentimes, I stayed later after practice to work on my skills. With training, I pushed through difficult workouts and outlasted people who were stronger, taller, and leaner than me. I had become the best athletic version of myself because I learned to endure the hardship I was facing. As I sleep each night, the imagination of a future where I serve as a political affairs officer, advising leaders on policies aimed at enhancing their nations, occupies my dreams. I strive to make this dream my reality by making a change every day. In my sophomore year of high school, I co-founded the Black Student Union to merge black and allying students who wanted to connect and support the black community. In its brief existence, the Black Student Union became more than a club. It empowered black students who had never enrolled in Advanced Placement courses to confidently pursue and excel in such academic challenges. Moreover, the club encouraged black middle school students in my town to actively engage in school activities and embark on a journey of personal growth. The Black Student Union served as a momentum for other students to establish additional clubs that celebrated diversity within our school, such as the Saffron Alliance Club for South Asian students and the Asian American Pacific Islander Club. As I approach my senior year, I witness that these newly formed clubs fostered a sense of community and meaningful change in the lives of students. Today, my community stands as more than a shared interest with another; it represents a collective of individuals who have confronted similar obstacles and are poised to achieve greatness together. In essence, my community has become a family. My community needs the understanding that anyone can triumph through grit. In the upcoming academic year, I strive to engage a wider range of middle school students through workshops, instilling in them the belief that their aspirations of attending their dream colleges are attainable goals rather than being exclusive to "white kids." I want to teach my community to always conquer every obstacle on the path to success because grit "makes it possible for somebody to continue doing something difficult."