Extracurricular activities are often looked at as something to enhance college applications, and I can't lie when I first entered high school that is a heavy part of the reason that I joined them myself. After being in multiple clubs and sports including math, English, and social studies honors societies, as well as my schools student government and soccer in the fall, and lacrosse in the spring, I have seen the benefits that myself, as well as my school community, has gained from these extracurriculars. In honors societies, students can enhance their abilities in the subject that the honors society focuses on. Being in my school's math honors society I have broadened my math skills by looking deeper into problem-solving and going back to the basics to improve all the new math skills that I'm currently learning in AP Statistics. Being in these honors societies have helped me to be more involved in my school community, and I, as well as all the other students involved, am able to gain skills in these areas. English honors society helps students to improve their vocabulary and reading/writing skills through extra practice as well as gain a new community in itself because these clubs have brought a variety of students together. Social studies honors society even works outside of the club itself and teaches the school about history in the morning announcements. The job of student government is to plan activities to boost school spirit. We worked together to plan spirit week, dances, and fundraisers to improve our school community. All these activities have helped students in our school to be more involved in school spirit, improving our school community. Not only do extracurricular activities help students improve in their academic journey, but they also help to magnify leadership skills and their community. In sports, leadership and teamwork are huge parts of the success of the team. In soccer, my role on the field as the goalie is to guide the defensive players. Since I have a full view of the field, it is my job to tell the players what they can't see, if there is an offensive player on the other team in their blind spot. This not only helps me to stay in focus during the game but helps them to cover players that they can't see and work as a team altogether. In lacrosse, I play attack. In this role, the attack and midfield work together to get the ball down the field. In this role, I can improve my teamwork and leadership by getting open for the next pass and helping my team by finding an open spot on the field and calling out for the pass. Extracurricular activities are a huge part of the school community, bringing students together, and helping students to improve numerous skills outside of classes. I know that I would be a completely different person if I wasn't as involved as I am and I am grateful for the opportunities that my school offers for everyone with different varieties of extracurricular activities.