More Than a Role by Elandrea

More Than a Role by Elandrea - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

Leadership means much more to me than simply someone in charge. It's much deeper than a role; it's more of a concept rather. Leadership, in its broadest terms, is the ability to lead not just a group of people but yourself as well. The ability to communicate and collaborate with agreeable people and those who make you want to pull your hair out. It's the ability to bring people together. To bring the best characteristics out of people. It's the ability to put others above yourself.
This concept of leadership has been brought to life by numerous individuals in my life, each leaving a profound impact. Among them, my worship pastor, Kevin Seaton, stands out as a key figure who not only embodied these characteristics but also instilled them in me, shaping my understanding and practice of leadership. I can vividly remember the kind smile that he showed to me growing up in church. The same smile was on his face when he watched me audition for the choir. It was his constant kindness that made his leadership unique. He has a charisma about him that brings people together.
The time was 2019, and he had the riveting idea of bringing 200 people together to sing Christmas songs. People from various musical and religious backgrounds came together for a greater purpose under his leadership. He was organized, purposeful, and diligent. He put time and care into this project, and that was clearly reflected in its ease. To highlight his dedication and organization, he had spent time preparing since as early as May of that year, months before we as a group began preparing in August. He knew all 12-15 songs like the back of his hand. When speaking with each choir member, he spoke with them like he had known them their whole lives. Remembering small details of their lives. He was the first to arrive at rehearsal and the last to leave. It was these small details that made him a dedicated leader.
It wasn’t only in 2019 that he made an impact on the leader that I am today. His dedication to mentorship and uplifting the next generation of leaders only emphasized the wonderful leadership characteristics he possessed. His continued mentorship of me as I led a youth and children’s ministry or as I led clubs and teams at my school was by far a distinguishing factor of his leadership. His ability to highlight and uplift the talents of the others on his team made him a strong leader. This quality or any of his leadership qualities never faded over the years; they grew stronger as he utilized them and learned.
The lessons I have learned from Pastor Kevin have shaped not just my leadership style but who I am. I have found myself leading in places where I am not asked to lead, or becoming a role model even when I did not ask to be one. These are traits that can only be found in a leader. I don’t write this to sound arrogant or to give myself praise. Instead, I write this to uplift and give thanks to the person who helped me become this way. It was only through him and several positive influences that I could have been shaped into a good leader. And to them, I am thankful.