Leaving a Trail by Hannah

Leaving a Trail by Hannah - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

Leadership skills are necessary for success in everything you do, including college. Whether it be leading with positive words, actions, or both, either one can get you a long way.

I plan to take what leadership skills I have learned in my high school career and build on them to a whole new level. I will be furthering my track and field career in college and can’t wait to watch myself grow into an all around leader both on and off the track. For example, I will make it known that keeping up with school and maintaining above average grades is critical. The moment you start letting your grades slip away, you are no longer a student-athlete. Please notice that student comes first in student-athlete. The main purpose of attending college is getting a solid education. Therefore, being a leader in the classroom will be my first priority.

On the flip side, on the track is where being a leader comes naturally for me. Showing up to practice everyday is good, but that isn’t enough. My goal is to be a difference maker in as many people’s lives as I possibly can. By constantly encouraging my teammates, giving advice and criticism when necessary to show that I truly care about them as an athlete and a person. I will be committed to my team one hundred percent. If anyone needs a friend to talk to, I want to be the person that they come to.

If someone is headed the wrong direction, or doesn’t believe in themselves, I will do my best to change their mind. If people start to give up, I hope that something I say or do can help them see themselves in a different light. All it takes is a few words, a smile, or one act of kindness to create a spark within someone. It excites me to know I could change their life forever and not even know it.

I want my attitude to be contagious throughout the team and school. Once people see how I can influence people’s lives, I want them to do the same for the people they are involved with. You may not be the best athlete on the team, or best student in the classroom, but I want people to realize that with leadership skills and an extraordinary charisma, you can do anything.