Leadership by Danielle

Leadership by Danielle - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

Exemplifying Leadership can be demonstrated in various ways. Throughout my athletic career, I have met many coaches and even young players who have enriched my life as an athlete and student. To me, leadership is equal to taking accountability, and my coach, Gabe Tumey, has always been a leader in my life, shaping my athletic abilities and influencing my personal growth.

Being a leader means taking control. Leaders always give 100% to whatever task is at hand, whether in a classroom or on the court. As they strive to improve, they also uplift those around them. Leaders treat everyone respectfully, pushing their peers to greatness while maintaining mutual respect. They are the first to start a task and the first to finish. Being a leader means being someone that others can look up to. They are not only doing their best when others are around, but they are doing their best when it is just them. No matter what room they are in or what crowd they have, they automatically take the lead and allow others to follow behind them. When becoming a leader, they will gladly step into that role regardless of the duties that will come with it. Attaining characteristics like such is what represents a great leader.

Gabe Tumey is the track and field coach at West Ouachita High School. Out of all my coaches, he has got to be the best. He is a true example of complete leadership. Before moving to West Ouachita, he coached my school’s first volleyball program. Knowing nothing about it, he walked in there with only his athleticism and a slight knowledge of volleyball from online college games. Every day, he showed me volleyball games in class, which was one of the reasons why I fell in love with volleyball. He taught himself how to play volleyball so he could teach us how to play volleyball, and he was so passionate about the game that you would not be able to tell that he did not know anything about the sport. Not only was he a leader, but he also taught me how to be a leader. When I was injured and on my phone during practices, he brought me outside and spoke about being engaged and helping my teammates despite my injury. Even though he is now coaching at a different school, whenever we got a chance to speak at track meets, he was always encouraging me in some form. Over time, I got jealous that West Ouachita had received such a gem like him, but I am also happy that other students have the privilege to experience a great coach like him.

In conclusion, leadership requires various characteristics. Many students and coaches have the potential to become great leaders, but they never step into that role. It is not easy to be a leader, so many become followers instead. Coach Tumey is not one of them. He will forever inspire me to be my best. Athletes will follow wherever he goes because he is just a great coach and person as well. At the end of the day, being a leader is challenging, but that is what makes a great leader stand out.