Bringing Leadership to the Community by Madeline

Bringing Leadership to the Community by Madeline - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

During high school, other than my education, extra curricular activities have been the main part of my experience. I have participated in three varsity teams throughout my four years here. These teams being gymnastics, track, and cheerleading. These sports, being as important as they are to me, have helped me grow, taught me discipline, how to encourage my peers, and to work as a leader toward others. While school has taught me to strengthen my brain, these sports have taught me to strengthen my disposition.
Being in track and field as taught me that you must push yourself extra hard in order to come out on the top. All of the hard workouts really test your strength and mentality. After learning these lessons during track, I brought them to teach to the cheer team. The more consistent you are, and the more effort you put in will always benefit you in the end. These sports also taught me the prosperity of having a positive attitude. It will astonish you how far a good attitude and determination will go. A negative attitude brings negative results.
Before a cheer competition or gymnastics meet, the team would always gather around and say encouraging words to each other. This would be an attempt to get everyone’s nerves out in order for them to have the best performance they could have. I think this is a helpful tool for sports because it makes you feel like you are believed in. I always add in how hard we work, that we’ve done these skills thousands of times and how we’re going to nail them once we get out there.
All-in-all, these sports have taught me discipline, encouragement, and leadership. These are all things that I have passed on to my community and the teammates I have been with since. I truly love being a part of all these teams and inspiring people to do the best they can, because I know how it feels.