Liberate the Leader in Everyone

Out of all the chapters in the book, this one spoke to me the most. The question that is raised all the time when discussing leadership is "Are leaders born and made"? While some may argue a middle ground answer for this question; most leaders, including myself, are made. In fact, I even think leaders whom are made are better than those who are born, natural leaders. 

When I was little, I could not imagine the person I would be today. I thought I was going to be some "average" person. What I mean by this is someone who just does what he/she is asked to do and nothing spectacular. Not saying I want people to give me credit or recognition for what I do, but I am proud to be the person I am today. If it was not for my parents consistently being by my side each and everyday, I really do not know where I would be right now. Hard to believe, I was a devil child. 

When I was little, I always had a fit over every situation, especially when it came to food (yes, hard to believe because, as all of you are aware, I LOVE food). My parents would try to feed me but I would never allow it and give them such a hard time for it. I was sent over to Baltimore for feeding school for a couple of months with my parents and older brother. It was here where I learned to eat and from this day, always enjoy eating! 

I say this story to you because my parents have taught me patience, perseverance, and working hard. They could of just sat idle and listened to my pediatrician's advice that "there is nothing you can do." But, they did not take no for an answer because they wanted this problem to be solved. It sparked me to go out in the world and help others. It's the main reason why I am the person I am today.

I really do believe everyone has the capacity to be a leader not only in their high school and college campuses but in their communities. Everyone has a purpose in this world and that is to help and serve others. Especially with the recent attacks in Paris and various parts of the Middle East, we could really be lead by leaders that will make positive change and unite people as one. We, my generation, are that change. 

Influence Is the Greatest Gift

     Sometimes I think it is a little outdated to talk about things I did in high school, but then I realize without the influence of the things and people of my past, I wouldn't be who I am today. Without their influence, I wouldn't have the desire to influence people like I do, and I probably wouldn't have joined Greek Life. So this is what I think is important and relevant in relation to what I have read, and here is a little delve into my past:
     
     Until the summer of 2011 I had lived in Florida my whole life where I attended a private school since I was 3 years old. Since the school was small and not state funded, we really didn't have many sports, and I don't think we had a single club. This combined with the factors of being an only child, and not hanging out with the kids in my neighborhood because we went to different schools, gave me the complex of being the quiet girl who kept to herself. This quiet nature carried over to when I was 15 and moved to Taunton, Massachusetts. When I moved, the only person I knew and socialized with was my cousin Amanda, but she attended the vocational school in town, so when summer was over I would have to face Taunton High alone. 
     Fall semester came and went, I enjoyed my classes, but I kept to myself. I carried on with that same pattern going into the next semester. In the spring of 2012 I went to my US history class and as is to be expected, we did icebreakers. One of the icebreaker questions was "What are you involved in at Taunton High?". After everyone went around the room and gave their spiel, it was my turn and I didn't have an answer. My teacher was shocked and made me promise that I would get involved by the end of the semester. I complied. Everyday through my teacher's example, I was slowly absorbing the skills of leadership and self acceptance that he exuberantly reflected. Two months later I decided to join Student Council. Since he was the advisor of Student Council, I continued to be influenced and learn from him in and out of the classroom. 
     I started becoming involved by attending and chairing campus events, and eventually attended leadership conferences with my council. I became more outgoing and interacted with people across the commonwealth that I would have never met without the opportunities presented to me by Student Council. By the following semester, working in my council had become my passion and priority. I wanted others to see what an affect it had on me, and why I thought it was so important to the development of myself and my school. 
     By my senior year I went from being the shy girl who kept to herself, to the girl who presented workshops, won awards and scholarships, joined the swim team, became a tour guide and orientation leader, and was accepted into Taunton High's internship program. And just when I thought I was the one learning and growing from those I looked up to, I was told by younger students that I had made an impact on them! They had seen the passion that I put into everything I did and that they were inspired to do the same. I think having a positive impact on someone else is truly the greatest thing I could ever accomplish.

     As I was reading the chapter, The Best Leaders Are Teachers, I realized how literal that title was. Four years ago I met a teacher who changed my life for the better, and who impacted me to the point where I would not be who I am today without his guidance. I believe this passage describes him with infallible accuracy, so here is an ode to him:

"The best leaders are the most passionate about their work, their organizations, and their disciplines. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and others catch that enthusiasm and display it in their own work. We wish all our leaders could be this excited. These are the leaders we will tell the most positive stories about in the future. These are the leaders who continue to make a difference long after we, and they, have moved on."

     So thank you for influencing me and showing me I have the power to influence others. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Thank you for exhibiting what a true leader is. Thank you for inspiring direction in my life. Thank you for pushing me to be my best. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you, Pete Parcellin, for everything you have done.

                                                     Above: photo at a state leadership conference moments before accepting the commonwealth's                                                                                                                             Unsung Hero Award (which I had no idea my advisor nominated me for)