Since last fall, I knew I wanted to run for an International Officer position within the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK).

I knew that my passion for PTK and my experience in the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service would allow me to campaign.

So I became one of 11 candidates for International Vice President of Division III.

11 candidates — I was shocked when I saw how many of us there were.

I had campaigned for other positions in my life with more competition. But this was for an international position!

To be honest, I was scared at first.

I didn’t know what I had signed myself up for. Was I getting in over my head?

One of my advisors, Dr. Mitch Stimers, said “Holy monkey!” when he found out how many candidates there were for Division III.

I took a moment to calm down and remember why I decided to run for international office in the first place – I’m passionate about the mission of PTK.

“The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders.”

I knew I couldn’t give up simply because I was scared.

I would embark on my journey with a team of people that were passionate about my success.

My campaign manager, Zeel Mehta, was instrumental in ensuring that I was on the right track with my campaign.

Before the conference where I would unveil my campaign to others, Zeel reminded me of due dates, made suggestions, confirmed that my ideas made sense and kept me calm.

Some of my favorite memories when working on my campaign were made when sitting in the car with Zeel.

These meetings are what allowed us to become sisters.

Throughout our time on campus, people began to ask if we were actual sisters due to the close bond that we share.

We laugh and know that we are sisters through PTK.

When I arrived at the annual convention, Catalyst, I was amazed. I knew I had arrived at the party of the century.

I knew that I was one of 36 international officer candidates that would campaign during the 100th anniversary of PTK.

I knew that it was my time to live up to my campaign slogan and “shine like a sunflower.”

While I was campaigning, I stayed true to my roots. I stayed true to my beliefs of what a leader is.

I believe that leadership isn’t a position, it’s the behaviors that inspire others to follow what you do.

Because of this, I had mentally prepared myself in case I didn’t win the election.

Still, sitting in the audience waiting to hear the results of the polling from the first day of campaigning made me nervous.

Only two people out of 11 candidates for Division III would be selected to be finalists.

I cried tears of joy when my name was announced as one of these two people.

I heard the word “Cloud” for my college, Cloud County Community College, and felt as if I was literally in a cloud.

I was on cloud nine. I was in a haze of disbelief.

My campaign continued, and I presented a three-minute speech to answer the question from theme six in the Honors Study Topic Guide.

“How are shifting views of justice transforming global realities, and how are communities responding?”

My speech wasn’t “perfect” like I had practiced it, but it showed that I’m human.

I’m bound to make mistakes. What matters is how I move on.

As I was sitting in the audience during the Hallmark Awards Gala, my advisor asked if I was nervous.

To be honest, I was trying to stay awake long enough to hear the results of the election. (Campaigning is tiring work.)

My nerves kicked in as the awards portion of the gala came to a close, and I knew that the election results would soon be announced.

I didn’t win the election, but I didn’t lose.

I gave it my all during my campaign. Because of this, I can keep my head held high.

I went to the Catalyst Celebration and danced the night away.

I laughed, I smiled, I showed my country roots and I had fun with my friends.

I gave it everything, so I lost absolutely nothing.