Being a strong leader has always been an important part of my identity. Whether in the classroom, during a sport, or in my community, I have demonstrated strong leadership. Within the classroom, I proactively enrolled in courses such as Leadership and Character Development, recognizing the importance of acquiring effective qualities necessary to inspire and uplift those around me. In the class, I learned the attributes that are needed to truly inspire and help those around us. I took this class seriously as I felt it would come in handy for my future goals. Furthermore, I was voted team captain of my club volleyball team from sophomore through senior year. I always kept a positive energy on the court even when things were not going my way. I have always been good at brushing off mistakes and continuing to try new things. My teammates fed off that positive energy as it allowed them to pick themselves up and do the same. In my senior year, I was on the leadership committee for my track team. We helped to encourage other athletes and make decisions that affected the cohesion of the team. As a member of the committee, I was involved in ensuring that everyone was an active member in cheering all other teammates on. This fostered success for the whole team. One of the most important traits of leadership is what you do when you are getting nothing in return. That is why I made it a focal point of my high school experience to give back to my community through means of community service. Throughout high school, I volunteered at a multitude of different establishments. I did over 80 hours with my church, 30 hours for the Iowa senior games, and another 12 hours for fire department open houses. I also refereed games for my high school's varsity volleyball games, as well as participated in service projects. These projects included putting together care packages for women fighting breast cancer and remodeling the playroom of a women's and children's shelter. Volunteering is important to me because I believe that a leader is not simply someone who preaches positivity and helps others instead, someone who leads by example. Looking toward the future, I am excited to apply my leadership skills in conjunction with my engineering major to create a successful career path. As a woman entering the STEM field, I am well aware of the challenges and stereotypes that come along with entering a predominantly male-dominated field and trying to work toward a position of leadership. However, I am prepared to overcome these barriers. In the process of growth that comes with navigating these challenges, I hope to inspire and empower other women to do the same and pursue their ambitions with confidence.