When I initially ran for a position on student government, I never expected to become so thankful for such a community. As a terrified freshman, I initially perceived this organization to be a tightknit group of unapproachable elitists. However, after speaking with a few upperclassmen and learning more about the true mission of student government, I learned that this group was entirely different from my first judgement. It took some time before I felt comfortable to run for office, but when election week finally arrived, I decided to take a risk and run for the position of class representative.

Campaigning for a position in and of itself required a huge leap out of my comfort zone as I discussed issues with others and made speeches in front of large crowds. After being elected, my duties as class representative continued to push me into unfamiliar territory. Some of my new responsibilities included speaking with seemingly-terrifying figures of authority and introducing myself to complete strangers in the hallway. As the year progressed, however, I came to learn that I was not only capable of doing these new things, but I was excited by them.

This new measure of confidence empowered me to take initiative in facilitating projects that addressed my passions in creative and demanding ways. From fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to organizing a Christmas toy drive for homeless children, my duties as a member of student government have shaped my compassion for both my peers and my community. Communicating with a diverse group of fellow cabinet members has encouraged me to better appreciate the strengths, weaknesses, interests, and passions of each individual in order to bring our ideas to fruition.

While the balloons we sprawled over the dining hall floor and the colorful banners we painted for Field Day may seem like trivial actions, these moments have instilled powerful lessons within me. I have learned to work efficiently in a team and communicate with others in order to complete any task with ease. I have been taught that even the simplest conversations with other students can foster a true sense of unity and mutual respect. Most importantly, I have discovered that if I genuinely seek to accomplish something, I have the power and courage to wholeheartedly achieve my goals.

I don’t believe that the determined young woman I am today would exist if I hadn’t taken that first risk four years ago. Looking back on my experiences as the Vice President of my high school, I have come to realize that being a member of student government has been more than just an extracurricular activity; it has been an outlet for me to challenge both myself and other students to recognize qualities in ourselves that we had not previously acknowledged. For that, I am eternally grateful.