Dr. Tom Farrell Future Leaders of Maine Scholarship: My name is Jazmin Juliet Channon, and to me, Leadership is not about being the loudest voice or always being in control. For the longest time, I thought that I was not a leader because I preferred supporting others rather than standing in front of them. In fact, there was a time when I deliberately refused to stand in the light. Instead, I chose to let those with bigger personalities take the stand. My sister, for example. Growing up, she naturally took charge, and I often followed her lead while helping in quieter ways behind the scenes. This brought me closure. Made me happy and content. I didn't need the attention. I didn't want it. And giving it to her did not bother me, not at all. But over time, I realized leadership is not limited to one personality type. Some leaders stand in the limelight. While others lead through support, encouragement, and consistency. That began to make me think back. Maybe I'm more than just a supporting character. Maybe I have more to this story. So again, what does leadership mean to me? Well, I believe leadership means lifting others up without expecting recognition in return. It means caring about people enough to help them succeed, even in small ways. To me, the best leaders are the people who make others feel heard, valued, and capable. They lead by example through kindness, reliability, and the willingness to help when it matters most. Leaders are the ones whom everyone can rely on. The walls of protection and support. One of the biggest ways that I have shown leadership is through the way I treat others, especially on my track team. I know what it feels like to be insecure, quiet, and unsure of where you belong. I went through those troubles. I've dealt with my demons. Hence, I've made it my mission to help others around me who show signs of isolation. Without putting in much effort, I began noticing the girls who reminded me of myself. The quieter and more antisocial ones, who showed signs of discomfort or were disconnected from the group. Instead of leaving them on the outside, I tried to include them in conversation, bring them into group activities, and encourage them to step into situations that felt uncomfortable at first. I did this because I knew they were capable of thriving if someone simply made them feel welcomed. Just like how I pushed myself. Those experiences changed my understanding of leadership. I realized leadership is not always about being the person in charge; sometimes it is about being the person who notices when someone feels invisible and choosing to reach out anyway. I can not tell you whether this will make me a good leader in Maine. Solely because I don't see myself staying here. I see myself traveling back home to Colorado. However, the lessons that I learned here will definitely carry over to wherever I may end up. Whether that be sports, clubs, or even my own dental practice. Thank you, Jazmin