I like Sabrina Carpenter because she is someone who has grown into her career in a really authentic way. She started out acting and then transitioned into music, and over time she has become more confident in her style and voice. What stands out to me is that she has not stayed the same. You can see how much she has developed, both as an artist and as a person, and that is something I respect. Her career has impacted me because it shows that growth takes time and that you do not have to have everything figured out right away. Early on, she faced a lot of public attention and criticism, but she continued to push forward and improve. That idea of staying consistent and not letting outside opinions define you is something I relate to, especially in leadership. You are not always going to get everything right, and people will have opinions, but what matters is whether you keep working to improve. I also respect how she carries herself. She is confident without needing validation from others, and she seems comfortable with who she is. That has influenced how I try to approach my own goals. Whether it is leading in NJROTC, taking on new challenges, or preparing for my future, I have learned that confidence comes from putting in the work and trusting yourself, not from external approval. Overall, I am a fan of Sabrina Carpenter because her career reflects growth, resilience, and confidence. She has shown that success is not about being perfect from the start, but about continuing to improve and staying true to who you are. That is something I try to apply in my own life.

Faith plays a steady role in my life by giving me a sense of purpose and direction, especially when things feel uncertain or difficult. It is not something I always talk about openly, but it shows up in how I make decisions, how I treat people, and how I handle challenges. My faith reminds me that my life is not just about personal success, but about serving something greater than myself. That mindset has influenced both my academic and future goals. It has pushed me to take my responsibilities seriously and to stay committed, even when things get stressful. Balancing AP classes, leadership in NJROTC, and community service has not always been easy, but my faith has helped me stay grounded and focused. It reminds me to keep going, to stay disciplined, and to trust that the work I am putting in has a purpose. It has also shaped my decision to pursue a career in the Marine Corps. I see that path as more than just a job. It is an opportunity to serve others, lead with integrity, and be part of something larger than myself. My faith reinforces the idea that leadership is about sacrifice and responsibility, which aligns closely with the values of the Marine Corps. In addition to my faith, the people around me have played a huge role in pushing me to pursue higher education. My NJROTC instructors, especially Chief Riley, have had a major impact on my life. When I first came into high school, I did not take things seriously, and I did not have a clear direction. Chief Riley saw potential in me that I did not see in myself and pushed me to step into leadership roles and hold myself to a higher standard. Because of her, I started to believe in what I was capable of and began to take my future more seriously. My other instructors, mentors, and peers have also contributed to that growth by setting expectations and encouraging me to challenge myself academically. They have shown me that education is not just about getting through school, but about preparing myself to lead and make an impact. Overall, my faith and the people who have invested in me have shaped both who I am and where I am going. They have pushed me to pursue higher education not just for my own success, but so I can better serve others and take on greater responsibility in the future. Instagram: @c.emma.east

I embody a life of service through the way I show up for others, both in leadership and in my community. As the Commanding Officer of my NJROTC unit, I am responsible for over 100 cadets, and that role has taught me that service is not about recognition, but about responsibility. Every day, I am expected to set the standard, make decisions that impact others, and ensure that the people around me are supported. That has shown me that service is not something you turn on and off, it is something you commit to consistently. Outside of NJROTC, I have completed over 350 hours of community service through projects like Wreaths Across America, Project W.A.R.M., and building wheelchair ramps. These experiences reinforced that service is often found in small, consistent actions. It is not always something big or visible, but it still has a real impact on people’s lives. Through both leadership and volunteering, I have learned that service means putting others before yourself and being willing to do what needs to be done. I also embody a life of service by using my voice to support others. Through the South Carolina EMS Association, I traveled to Washington, D.C., where I learned how legislation affects EMS professionals and their ability to serve communities. I later spoke at the Women in Healthcare Summit about the importance of supporting EMS through policy. That experience showed me that service can take many forms, including advocacy and leadership beyond my immediate environment. In the future, I plan to use my education to continue serving others as a Marine Corps officer. My education will help prepare me to lead effectively, think critically, and make decisions that impact the lives of those under my responsibility. In the Marine Corps, service is not optional, it is the foundation of the profession. I will be expected to lead in challenging situations and to put the needs of others before my own, which is something I have already begun to develop through NJROTC. Beyond my military career, I plan to continue serving by investing in others, whether that is through mentorship, leadership programs, or returning to my community. I want to give back in the same way that others have invested in me. To me, a life of service is about consistency, accountability, and putting others first. It is not defined by one action, but by a continued commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

I plan to make a positive impact on the world by serving as a Marine Corps officer and leading others with purpose, accountability, and a commitment to something greater than myself. For me, making an impact is not about recognition, but about the responsibility to serve and to take care of the people around me. Through my experience in NJROTC, I have learned that leadership is not about authority, but about earning trust and setting the example. As the Commanding Officer of my unit, I am responsible for over 100 cadets, and that has shown me how much influence a leader has on the people they serve. The way you act, the standards you set, and the decisions you make directly affect others. That is something I take seriously, and it is a responsibility I want to carry into my future in the Marine Corps. As a Marine officer, I will be in a position where others rely on me in high-pressure situations. I want to be the kind of leader who is dependable, who makes decisions with integrity, and who puts the well-being of others before my own. The Marine Corps is built on values like honor, courage, and commitment, and those are values I have already started to develop through my experiences in NJROTC and my community. In addition to serving in the military, I plan to make an impact by continuing to invest in others. Throughout high school, I have mentored younger cadets and helped them grow in confidence and leadership. That has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience, and it is something I want to continue doing in the future. Whether it is leading Marines or mentoring others later in life, I want to help people reach their potential. I also believe that making a positive impact does not end with one career. After my time in the Marine Corps, I plan to return to my community and continue serving, possibly through teaching or working with programs like NJROTC. I want to give back in the same way that my mentors have invested in me. To me, making a positive impact is about consistency. It is about showing up, doing your job to the best of your ability, and putting others before yourself. By pursuing a career in the Marine Corps and continuing to serve beyond that, I believe I can contribute to something larger than myself and make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

One of the most meaningful volunteer events I organized was a community 5K fundraiser through my NJROTC unit. As the Commanding Officer, I was responsible for helping plan and oversee the entire event. That included coordinating logistics, assigning responsibilities to cadets, promoting the event, and making sure everything ran smoothly the day of. It was not just about putting on an event, but about creating something that brought the community together and gave others an opportunity to get involved. Planning the 5K taught me a lot about leadership in a real-world setting. I had to rely on others, communicate clearly, and make adjustments when things did not go exactly as planned. There were a lot of moving parts, and I quickly realized that I could not do everything myself. Instead, I had to trust my team and hold people accountable for their roles. Seeing everything come together on the day of the event and watching both cadets and community members participate made the work worth it. In addition to organizing that event, I have consistently volunteered through NJROTC and local organizations, completing over 350 service hours. Some of the most impactful experiences have been through Wreaths Across America, where I helped honor fallen service members, Project W.A.R.M., where I assisted in winterizing homes for families in need, and building wheelchair ramps to improve accessibility. These experiences showed me that service is not always something big or recognized. A lot of the time, it is simply about showing up and doing what needs to be done. Volunteering has also allowed me to give back in a leadership role. As the Commanding Officer, I am not only responsible for my own service, but for encouraging and organizing opportunities for over 100 cadets. I work to make sure they understand why service matters, not just that it is required. I have seen how service can change people, helping them become more disciplined, more aware of others, and more willing to take responsibility. Leadership through service is important because it shifts the focus away from yourself and toward others. It is easy to lead when things are going well or when recognition is involved, but true leadership is shown in the willingness to do the work that benefits others, even when it is not seen. Through my experiences, I have learned that the best leaders are the ones who lead by example and are willing to put in the same effort they expect from others. Organizing events and volunteering in my community has shown me that leadership and service go hand in hand. A strong leader does not just direct others, but actively contributes and supports the people around them. That is the kind of leadership I strive to continue, both in my community and in my future career.

When I first came into high school, I was honestly a dirtbag. I did not take things seriously, I did not think much about my future, and I was not the kind of person anyone would expect to lead. I showed up, did the bare minimum, and did not really care about the impact I had on others. That started to change when I met Chief Riley, my NJROTC instructor. From the beginning, she saw something in me that I did not see in myself. Instead of writing me off, she held me to a higher standard. She called me out when I needed it, but more importantly, she gave me opportunities to prove that I could be better. She put me in positions where I had to step up, even when I did not feel ready. At the time, I did not always understand why she trusted me with those responsibilities. I made mistakes, and there were times I did not meet the expectations she had set. But instead of taking those opportunities away, she used those moments to teach me. She showed me that failure was not the end, it was part of the process, as long as I learned from it. Through those leadership roles, I started to change. I realized that people were depending on me, and that forced me to take responsibility for my actions. Chief Riley taught me that leadership is not about being in charge, it is about being someone others can rely on. She pushed me to be more disciplined, more consistent, and more accountable, not just in NJROTC, but in everything I did. Over time, those small opportunities turned into bigger ones. Eventually, I became the Commanding Officer of my unit, leading over 100 cadets. That is something I never would have seen for myself when I first walked into high school. The only reason I was able to grow into that role was because Chief Riley gave me the chance to lead before I believed I could. Now, I try to lead the way she taught me. I push others, not because I expect perfection, but because I know what they are capable of, even if they do not see it yet. I understand the importance of giving people opportunities and holding them accountable at the same time. Chief Riley did not just teach me leadership. She changed the direction of my life. Because of her, I went from someone who did not take anything seriously to someone who is working toward becoming a Marine Corps officer and leading others with purpose.

NJROTC has had a direct impact on how I approach my everyday life and my future goals, especially my goal of becoming a Marine Corps officer. As the Commanding Officer of my unit, I am responsible for over 100 cadets, which has taught me how to manage people, stay organized, and make decisions under pressure. Those are not skills I only use in uniform. I apply them in school, in my community, and in how I handle responsibility overall. One of the biggest lessons I have taken from JROTC is consistency. Showing up prepared, following through on what I say I will do, and holding myself to a high standard are habits that carry into everything I do. I know that as a future Marine officer, people will rely on me in high-pressure situations, and those habits will allow me to lead effectively. JROTC has shown me that leadership is not about being perfect, but about being reliable and accountable. These skills have also shaped how I serve my community. I have completed over 350 service hours through projects like Wreaths Across America, Project W.A.R.M., and building wheelchair ramps. Through JROTC, I have learned that service is not something you do occasionally, but something you commit to consistently. That mindset is something I plan to carry into my future career in the Marine Corps. In addition to my experience in JROTC, attending Palmetto Girls State further strengthened my leadership and communication skills. At Girls State, I ran for Governor and was selected as the Nationalist Party Governor runner-up. That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to confidently speak, connect with others, and lead in a completely new environment. It showed me that leadership is not limited to one setting, and that I can apply what I have learned in NJROTC anywhere. I have also had the opportunity to apply these skills outside of both NJROTC and Girls State. Through the South Carolina EMS Association, I traveled to Washington, D.C., where I learned how legislation directly impacts EMS professionals and the communities they serve. After that, I spoke at the Women in Healthcare Summit about the importance of supporting EMS through policy. These experiences showed me that leadership can also mean using your voice to advocate for others. One of the biggest challenges I have faced was being part of the decision to remove my sister from her role as Drill Team Commander. It was a situation where I had to choose between personal loyalty and my responsibility to the unit. JROTC prepared me for that by teaching me that leadership requires integrity, even when it is difficult. After the decision, I stepped in to help run the team while also supporting my sister. That experience reinforced that leadership is not just about making the right decision, but about how you take care of people afterward. If I could be the world’s next superhero, my theme song would be That’s Life by Frank Sinatra. The song reflects resilience and the idea that setbacks are part of the process. That is something I connect to, because leadership and service are not always easy, but you keep moving forward anyway. Overall, NJROTC has shaped how I lead, serve, and prepare for my future in the Marine Corps. It has taught me discipline, accountability, and how to take responsibility for others, and those are lessons I will carry with me wherever I go.

Throughout high school, I have made a consistent effort to serve my community through NJROTC and local organizations, accumulating over 350 hours of service. Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from projects like Wreaths Across America, where I helped honor fallen service members, and Project W.A.R.M., where I worked with a team to winterize homes for families in need. I have also helped build wheelchair ramps through my local church, directly improving accessibility and quality of life for individuals in my community. While these projects were impactful on their own, what has mattered most to me is the opportunity to lead others in service. As the Commanding Officer of my NJROTC unit, I am responsible not just for my own involvement, but for encouraging and organizing service opportunities for over 100 cadets. I have helped plan and execute events that allow younger cadets to get involved and understand the importance of giving back. Through that, I have seen firsthand how service can shape people, building discipline, accountability, and a sense of purpose beyond themselves. One of the biggest things I have learned is that service is not always something big or visible. Many of the most meaningful moments happen in smaller, quieter ways, showing up consistently, doing work that often goes unnoticed, and committing to something because it matters, not because it is recognized. That mindset has shaped how I approach both leadership and community involvement. Looking forward, I believe one of the most important ways to improve my community for future generations is by investing in young people. Programs like NJROTC have had a direct impact on my development, and I have seen how mentorship and structured leadership opportunities can completely change someone’s confidence and direction. I want to continue creating and expanding those opportunities so that more students have access to environments that challenge them and help them grow. I also believe communities can improve by making service more accessible and consistent. This could be done by strengthening partnerships between schools, local organizations, and community groups to create more organized and recurring service opportunities. When people are given clear ways to get involved, they are more likely to contribute and stay engaged over time. Ultimately, I want to help build a community where service is not seen as an obligation, but as a shared responsibility. A community becomes stronger when its people are willing to step up for one another, even in small ways. Through my experiences, I have learned that leadership and service go hand in hand, and I plan to carry that mindset forward, continuing to invest in others and contribute to something greater than myself.

One of the most challenging situations I have faced as a leader was being part of a decision that removed my sister from her position as Drill Team Commander in our NJROTC unit. It was clear that the team needed a change in leadership to move forward, but that did not make the decision any easier. This was not just another cadet, it was my sister, and I knew the outcome would affect her personally. At the time, I felt caught between my responsibility to the unit and my loyalty to my family. Leadership required me to put the needs of the team first, even when it was uncomfortable. When the decision was made, I stepped in to help run the drill team and restore structure and accountability. At the same time, I made it a priority to support my sister, not as a leader, but as her sister. I listened, encouraged her, and reminded her that one position did not define her worth. That experience changed how I view leadership. I learned that integrity means making difficult decisions even when they come at a personal cost. I also learned that leadership does not end once the decision is made, it continues in how you support the people affected by it. Over time, I saw my sister grow in confidence in other areas, and our relationship remained strong. This experience taught me that leadership is not about avoiding hard decisions, but about facing them with honesty, accountability, and care for others.