Those who left a legacy for me by Sealin

Those who left a legacy for me by Sealin - May 2024 Scholarship Essay

During freshman year, I was one of three saxophones who were selected to perform with the varsity performance group. It was a great privilege but equally a challenge. The environment was fast-paced and exhausting. I felt like giving up and my relationship with band as an extracurricular became dwindling because of these challenges I was faced with. On the way to our first competition, I remember sitting next to an unfamiliar upperclassman with anxiety of the upcoming performance. Noticing my internal panic, he opened up to me about his own freshman year struggles in the band program. He showed compassion and patience as he calmed me down and related to me despite our grade differences. From then on, he became someone I looked up to despite his lack of a leadership title and “authority”. I learned that leadership didn’t come from titles but more so from the actions that make a difference. He taught me the significance of compassion and intention from impactful leaders.
Another impactful leader that had impacted my inspiration to become a leader was my former DECA president. She devoted a majority of her free time to our chapter but still led with such grace. Her and I were complete opposites in leadership styles; she led with encouragement while I led with determination. Although neither was considered better or worse than the other, I admired the way she led in a way that was incomprehensible to me. Her versatility encouraged my ability to adapt and my determination fueled her passion. Working together was truly a joyful experience that displayed perfect harmony within the leadership team. She showed the importance between yin and yang: the perfect balance. From her I felt less challenged to face different types of people that weren’t necessarily so similar to me. It was a lesson better learned earlier on in life as it pertained to many other parts of my life.
Years later, I understood my own strengths as a leader. I was driven with initiative, efficiency, and confidence. However, reflecting back on my term serving as District 5’s President in DECA, it is certain that I wouldn't have been able to accomplish all that I did without my former chapter president or my mentor from the band. Both of these leaders, no matter if they had the title or not, affected my leadership style and the perspective about leadership significantly. No matter if I had a leadership position or not, It has helped me grow into the person I am today and provided a sense of inspiration that has stuck with me to become the best version of myself.
Throughout my time in high school and college, I have been surrounded by all types of leadership styles which have all taught me significant lessons. Despite being in college, I still carry these lessons and remind myself of these experiences to strengthen the positive impact I leave behind as a leader myself. The leaders before have left a legacy for me to honor and gain inspiration from. I plan to carry the same initiative that has motivated me throughout my high school career no matter where I go to leave my print behind while learning from my peers whether that is in school, work, or my community.