The first thought coming to many minds after hearing the word "leadership" is control. Servant leadership strongly opposes that perspective, demonstrating that coordination and unity are necessary to achieve large goals. The most effective form of leadership drives change towards the betterment of one's community. I first learned about sickle cell disease through my cousin's early diagnosis, and all I wanted to do was relieve her struggles in any way possible. It was difficult for me to grasp her having to live with a chronic blood disorder that disproportionately afflicts African Americans like me. Raising awareness about this issue last September through my high school held deep personal significance for me with loved ones that suffered from the same illness. As President and Founder of my school’s Red Cross chapter, I was inspired by this vital cause to enact change in our school community. With the help of my executive board, we pioneered an educational Sickle Cell Awareness initiative, teaching about the disease itself as well as disparities in the Black community. Our club members created informative posters about the health issue to display in the hallways, spreading awareness that can start deeper conversations and change lives. I was proud to see our campaign educating hundreds of students school-wide, attracting more members to our club, and inspiring members to serve in their own lives. Our toolkit, including a trifold and dozens of posters, can now be used annually to bring attention to this health issue faced by hundreds of millions of people. My next community initiative is planning a fall school-wide blood drive in collaboration with interested clubs, including Pre-Medicine Club and Robotics Club. After founding the Red Cross Club, I had an unexpected influx of students willing to become a member, donate blood, and even run for executive board. Several people have been inquiring about a school blood drive, but I never imagined having over one hundred students, teachers, and administrative staff already sharing ideas and assistance. I am committed to making our dream a reality, knowing that precious donated blood will save dozens of lives. With a combined dedication to its success, I am confident that we can set a life-changing precedent in the years to come. By raising awareness with such a large initiative, we will encourage many students to be lifelong blood donors in support of the American Red Cross. My definition of community is a cohort of people united in their similarities, but also in differences. From observing my cousin's experience with her blood disorder, I was transformed from a girl who simply admired the work of healthcare professionals to a person in search of opportunities to give back. Evidently, the actions of any one person in a community can enact huge changes, bringing the group closer together in their interdependence. I aspire to make an even greater impact by pursuing my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing after high school graduation. I hope to exhibit the power of leadership as a Registered Nurse by addressing these healthcare disparities and working towards medical justice.

I first learned about sickle cell disease through my family member's diagnosis, and all I wanted to do was relieve her struggles in any way possible. Raising awareness about Sickle Cell Awareness Month last September held deep personal significance for me with loved ones that suffered from the same illness. As President and Founder of the Red Cross Club, I was inspired by this vital cause to enact change in our school community. Each member made an informative poster about the health issue to display in the hallways, spreading awareness that can start deeper conversations and change lives. During my 50 hours of service as a Red Cross Blood Donor Ambassador, I was privileged to speak with donors with touching stories about loved ones lost to leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and other tragic illnesses. In my eyes, their stories emphasize the importance of donating to the less fortunate in any way possible; giving blood, time, and energy to a cause makes all the difference for people whose lives depend on others' generosity. My understanding of diversity deepens through my involvement with cultural clubs, including my positions as Fundraising Chair of West African Student Union, Event Coordinator of African Student Association, and Black Student Union Community Service Chair. By fostering inclusion and rapport between the students at our school through our connection of the African Diaspora, biweekly meetings feel like home. Two years of planning led to our school's first International Night, in which hundreds of students and families came together to share food, music, and customs celebrating the richness of our community. International Night wasn't simply about raising hundreds of dollars for cultural clubs— we worked to build bridges between marginalized students for the first time in school history. Our club's efforts prompted more frequent discussions about highlighting the beauty in cultural differences. As the event's legacy continues, I am proud to be one of the main executive board members who advocated for its creation. Having accumulated almost 300 service hours, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is seeing the work directly benefit those who need it most. Volunteering as a student aide with the community’s educational summer institute for school-aged kids fostered a positive learning environment in each class. One student at a time, I taught them basic arithmetic concepts and principles of the English language through one-on-one mentorship. By the end of each summer, I was delighted to see each cohort of kids score significantly better on their class post-assessments and demonstrate preparedness for the upcoming school year. Even more importantly, my role in empowering each student to reach their potential and be confident in their academic abilities will stay with me for the rest of my life. As an A student and consistent recipient of Principal's Honor Roll, my dedication to academics also highlights my work ethic and critical thinking ability. My involvement with research, including a presentation of my watershed conservation research at a county-wide convention, motivates me to go even further to study science-based topics. Based on the physical, scientific and chemical makeup of our local water sources, I spoke about solutions for our declining ecosystem health. With state executives and school board officials in attendance, my goal was to influence change in our community towards ecological preservation efforts for our watershed. I aspire to make an even greater impact on my community in the future by pursuing my passion for nursing in college, building on my high school experiences. My commitment to helping others will serve me not only during my career, but in my daily life giving back to other members of society.