Leadership, leadership, leadership, is best understood as a set of values and actions that unite and elevate a community, which I have come to realize through volunteering at the Donna Community Center. For the past three years I have been a volunteer/peer mentor for the children that reside in the Donna Street community.These experiences have taught me that leadership means enabling others, driving positive change, and fostering inclusion and being a sponge to soak in all the questions the elementary and junior high school children ask. At the Donna Community Center, volunteering transformed my perspective on leadership by showing me that a true leader is one who builds relationships, invests in others, and cultivates a welcoming atmosphere. By giving my time on Saturday to come in and see what is needed, and being ready to do what the team captain has positioned for the day. To become a productive team leader I had to adjust and make sure my leadership could meet the needs of others, all while remaining vigilant about being approachable.
I feel this is part of being a leader. This role taught me that authentic leadership requires listening, showing gratitude, and engaging in challenging conversations when needed. My time at the center proved that leadership thrives in service—recognizing contributions, motivating ongoing participation, and providing training to help others grow.
Being in my school's student council since ninth grade has been key to growth where my leadership skills have evolved through collaboration, decision-making, and accountability.
Being selected as a student council member, officer, I was the manager for organizing school events,such as homecoming and Jr/Sr Prom. Resolving conflicts within our team dynamic. I gained a great deal of knowledge that has ushered in accountability and responsibility while propelling me to consider both the short-term impacts and long-term consequences of my actions on my peers and our school community. By working together on projects, delegating tasks, and building consensus, I understood that leadership is about guiding a team toward a common vision. Above all, the student council enabled me to become a role model—demonstrating integrity, positivity, and a proactive attitude in challenging situations, so that others felt encouraged to participate and contribute.
Not only did I assist the youth, I had to interact with the adult library employees. Knowing how to be a leader and stepping back when you have to listen to the real leaders at the library. A leader is a great listener. In each experience whether at the community center, on the student council, or at the library leadership is service, gratitude, and empowerment. Leadership involves listening to others, meeting their needs, and enabling them to find their own strengths and voice. Every volunteer encounter reminded me that people look to leaders not just for direction, but for encouragement, empathy, and hope. I gained empathy, communication, teamwork, responsibility, and resilience are essential for leading effectively in any environment.