Vote for Me by Julianna

Vote for Me by Julianna - December 2013 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my five years participating in Honor Society, I have grown significantly as a leader. Successfully, I have climbed the ladder of officer positions. While at first quite timid speaking in front of a large group, I now can easily address a crowd of one hundred or more. The officer positions I have held have each impacted me in a specific way.

During my first year in Honor Society, as an eighth-grader, it took some time to get familiar with the set-up of each meeting and the requirements of service hour forms. I gained a lot of knowledge of various professions from the people who came to speak. Additionally, I was able to learn to meet deadlines when it comes to performing community service. When I was nominated for junior high president at the end of my eighth-grade year, I was very much taken by surprise. I did not think of myself qualified enough for such a position. However, I decided to go for it! At the next meeting, I was voted the junior high president-elect! I felt ready for the challenge. Once in office, my duties were few. I learned I would be in charge of conducting a meeting and with that came much anxiety. Nevertheless, I impressed myself by how well that meeting ran. With my first officer role, came confidence in myself in leading although I had never been in a position like that before.

Eventually the year ended, and it was time for another election. I found myself nominated for social coordinator. When presenting my speech, I knew that I could offer appealing options to win votes. Moreover, I knew that my personality would reflect that the social events would not be lame. Instead I wanted each social event to be attractive to all and memorable. Soon I was voted in for this position. My wheels began turning with ideas to present as examples to the members. Thankfully the social events were fun and well attended. This position taught me the importance of balancing out the fun aspect of Honor Society with the knowledge we take in and the discipline we as Honor Society students are required to put to use. In addition, I found that social events have a way to unite members over watching The Lion King movie or playing Christmas charades.

My eleventh grade year was met with a desire to be vice-president. This time I knew my competition would make this race challenging. However, in my preparation, I began to think of a speech that would cause the members to vote for me. Confidently, I approached the podium ready to present my speech. I commenced the speech by announcing why I should be vice-president. As I wanted my speech to be short, but sweet, I only stated a few bullet points before I declared, “Don’t be a dum-dum (threw out Dum-Dum suckers to the crowd)! Be a smartie (threw out Smarties candies to the crowd), vote for Julianna Greene for vice-president!” The contenders laughed because they knew they had lost. They replied good-naturedly that it had been because of the candy. Consequently, I was named the next vice-president. I had won people over with candy! Being vice-president allowed me to step up to the plate in a big way as I not only had to call roll and handle absences, but I also communicated and planned with potential speakers.

My final officer position wish would be the most esteemed. Running for and winning the president seat of Honor Society would perfectly sum up my time in Honor Society. I began to plan my speech. I knew I would have to present something that would almost equal last year’s speech with the candy. I welcomed advice from my parents in picking a one-liner that might include candy. Eventually my dad thought of something. I was excited for this big push. I confidently went first before my opponent. I started off saying why I should be president just like I did for my vice-president speech. Following that, I announced, “It’s up to you! (passed out Mentos’ ‘Up 2 U’ gum) It’s up to you to vote for Julianna Greene!” The other opponent walked up and delivered an unprepared, short speech that lacked energy. I was humbled and excited to have won my fourth and final election! Currently I am in the middle of my presidency. Thus, so far I am learning to conduct meetings in an appealing manner instead of just simply stating each officer and his or her announcement, making the Honor Society a better environment. Also I have seen the way my communication skills have gotten better from spending time getting to know and ask questions to the members and communicate with the sponsors as well.

All of the positions I have held in Honor Society have definitely impacted me as a person. I have had experience as a leader already in life that is unmatched by some adults. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to step up and be challenged. Through this experience, who knows, one day I may be President of the United States.