Everyone in our beginner and varsity orchestras had hated our head director, Mrs. Long, with a burning passion. She yelled, pushed their ability, and expected greatness. Only, when I got to know her, she was nothing like that. I’ve met few teachers as dedicated to not just her subject, but to her students. While her resting face might’ve been unfriendly, she always greets you with a smile and banter. That first year in the leadership team made me decide to push myself like she believed I, and the rest of us, could. I began private lessons again and got into our top orchestra without much trouble. It was demanding in the best way possible. Mrs. Long was nowhere near as mean as she had been in past years and became my biggest cheerleader in music and leadership. Through her encouragement and high expectations, it dawned on me that improving myself isn’t a chore, but an opportunity to apply the skills I’ve cultivated to positively influence my community. Without the courage that Mrs. Long instilled in me, I would not have been bold enough to apply to be president of the leadership team at the end of my Junior year. She was careful enough to ensure I knew her expectations for be to be a great leader were high, but not too high that I would feel suffocated. As president of the Orchestra Leadership Team, I was able to get experience with working alongside adults on an executive board. I solved issues of underfunding for our team, changed outdated forms of communication that excluded members of the team not in an express leadership position, and did my best to ensure everyone felt as if they contributed equally. In years past there were members who would only show up during social events and other members thought it very unfair, so I opened communication between myself and general members compared to years past when we would have to go through uninformed vice-presidents. Mrs. Long made sure I had support from her and the Richardson Area Orchestra Club if needed, but facilitated my growth by encouraging me to figure out issues such as making reservations, comparing prices and interest for events, and assigning roles for competitions we were hosting on my own. Even as a Freshman in Accounting at Prairie View A&M University, Mrs. Long remains one of my biggest role models. I’ve been inspired to try new and harder things, explore different sects of my interests, and to take on more leadership within my school communities. The past couple of years with her guidance are a time I will never forget. I intend to take these lessons from her with me into adulthood. Her kindness, understanding, confidence in herself and others, and zeal for ensuring all her students succeed are qualities I hope to embody as I become involved around campus and my community.