The Impact of Giving Back by Lilly

The Impact of Giving Back by Lilly - January 2024 Scholarship Essay

During high school, I learned the true importance of the people around you and how much they affect our lives. As I entered high school, I didn’t know anyone, and I didn't know where I was going to get involved, but I had yet to find out about the leadership program. Once I had discovered this, I felt as if I had hit the jackpot. This program was filled with all of the things I loved to do. things like planning events, leading school activities, public speaking, making school-wide decisions, and many other opportunities of that nature. I quickly became involved, and the world of leadership became my home. After countless hours and hard work put into my school through this program and climbing the ladder of leadership positions, I am honored to have the title of student body president today. In addition to student government, I'm heavily active in the school's volleyball program and three clubs.
As my high school years come to a close, looking back at the past four years makes my heart fill with thankfulness due to the community that surrounded me during my time here. My school has given me so much, and I just want to give back. This year, I've spent two hours daily working on various school tasks. From creating decorations, planning school-wide events and assemblies, creating advertisements, assisting staff that needs something done, or helping clean up, I have this time to give to my school because I have a break between school and volleyball each day. Serving my school during this time of day has made such an impact. My goal is to leave a legacy of hard work and dedication. I am frustrated with my generation for only doing the bare minimum. I want to lead by example in the way I dedicate significant time to the school that gave me so much. I have poured my heart and soul into my school.
While I value making a broad impact, I'm convinced that supporting and uplifting individuals within your community creates a more enduring and meaningful impact. I make an effort to go out of my way to be kind to everyone around me, and I have seen this pay off. This may seem cliche, but you never know how much something is going to impact someone. One kind word can make a world of difference for someone. Personally, I have dealt with suicide and depression very deeply, and now that I have overcome this battle, I can help others struggling in this journey to heal. The importance of how you treat someone is incomparable.
After falling in love with leadership during high school, I came to realize that a business administration degree would develop my leadership abilities and propel my future in the best way possible. Although I haven't chosen a specific career, I am committed to changing the world by creating, encouraging, and teaching others how to lead. The more effective, positive, and hard-working leaders in the world, the better for all of us. I believe that the key to creating other leaders is to lead by example and give those following you room to grow. People will recognize and follow your actions significantly more than the words that you speak.
I will value community for the rest of my life. Always being willing to give back and support those around me will drive every action I take, but most importantly, how I live my life. If everyone gave back a little more, we would see a world of difference.