Growing up, I never really planned on being a “leader.” I always thought leaders were the loudest people in the room, the ones who loved attention and seemed confident no matter what. That never felt like me. As I've gotten older I’ve learned that leadership shows up in quieter ways; through consistency, resilience, and the way you treat people when things get hard. As a high school senior preparing for the next chapter of my life, I can now clearly see how my experiences, both the rewarding and the difficult have shaped me into someone who leads with empathy, determination, and purpose.
Much of that growth began on the volleyball court. I have played volleyball for eight years, four of them on varsity. Volleyball has been one of the most constant parts of my life. It taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to work toward something bigger than just myself. As a leader I learned that leadership is not about being perfect, it’s about showing up even when you think you can’t, taking responsibility when things go wrong, and doing the small things that you don’t always get acknowledged for. These mindsets showed me that leadership is not all about control and more about trust.
My freshman and sophomore years, however, challenged me in ways I never expected. During that time, I experienced mental and emotional abuse from a coach that deeply affected my confidence and self-worth. I was young, I believed his words because he was in a position of authority. For a long time, I convinced myself that what he said was true. Eventually, I reached the point where I could no longer let myself live in fear. Along with several teammates, I found the courage to speak up for what I thought was right. That experience was embarrassing and scary, but it was also transformative. It taught me that leadership sometimes comes from the hardest moments and the moments that if they don’t work out how you want could go completely different than you want. Since then, I’ve made it my goal to be the kind of leader I once needed. Someone there when times are low to pull me out of what I think is the lowest of the lows. Junior year we got a new coach who worked to rebuild players individually's confidence and trust. I then began mentoring younger players, giving them someone to look up to and want to be like. I focused on effort when it was “easy”, attitude when things didn't go my way, and encouragement, by making sure every teammate feels valued and supported in ways I wish I had. I want younger players to leave the program confident in themselves, wanting to leave a good example behind, building up the program into someone that can not be broken. I want them to be excited to lead, and not afraid to speak, on and off the court.
Off the court I’ve learned responsibility through balancing school, sports, work, and volunteer work. This included volunteering at the Food Bank, where I packed boxes with cans for the underprivileged. I also participated in Wee Sports, a program where younger kids get to learn more about each sport such as volleyball, basketball, and track. They are shown a true example of leadership, and get to play games with their friends. Interacting with the kids in order to make them feel special and give them a positive role model to want to be like.
Beyond volunteering I had the privilege to intern at State Farms over the summer, and work at Raffkinds, a retail store. While working at Raffkins, I have developed strong communication skills, professionalism, and time management. These skills were also shown in a different work environment such as State Farm. This environment introduced me to the professional business world by working with others in order to meet your goals, having fun when you accomplish new things, and making you feel uncomfortable at times. I developed other skills such as organization, reliability, and teamwork, translating beyond high school.
These experiences confirmed my desire to pursue a degree in general business at the University Of Georgia. As I look toward college, I am excited for the independence and self accountability along with the opportunities ahead. Though through college I will be able to learn these new life skills, I am also aware of the financial responsibility that comes with higher education. I plan to work while earning my degree, but scholarships are essential in making college possible without placing unnecessary financial strain on my family. Receiving any scholarship money would allow me to focus on my education, leadership opportunities, and personal growth while preparing for a successful future ahead.
To me, leadership is not about titles or recognition. It’s about how you treat people, how you respond when things don’t go your way, and how you carry yourself when no one is watching. Every experience I’ve had, every challenge, every job, every team, has shaped me into someone who leads with heart, effort, and honesty. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue that growth by using my education and experiences to make a positive difference in the lives of others.