My mother always hoped that I would do something meaningful as a child, to make a difference young instead of waiting or not making one at all. As I grew older I always thought of her and hoped that I could fulfill what she wanted of me. Not only did I want to do it for her, I wanted it for me.
I always noticed that there was a problem in every school I attended. That problem was bullying. I wanted to bring it to someone's attention and never did. Finally reaching my junior year in high school a surprise assembly was brought to my school called Rachel's Challenge. Rachels' challenge is a program brought to high schools to inform children on the effects of bullying. Rachel was the first person to be shot and killed in the Columbine high shootings. The shootings were the outcome of students being bullied.
Soon after seeing this assembly in my school I joined my cities Teen-task Force. A group ran by Mayor Scott Brook and others in the community willing to make a difference in teenagers lives. In the second meeting with the TTF I mentioned that bullying is a problem in our communities schools and that I would like to bring Rachels' challenge to my community as a whole. When addressing the issue, I was invited to a commissioners meeting by the mayor to discuss the problem among the City Commission. I attended the commissioners meeting and spoke about the topic; the board then approved my recommendation to bring it to the community.
Now I am known in my school and community as a youth leader. When having my recommendation approved was a great accomplishment because now there will be more community involvement which can help save children's lives. The experience of my going out and talking the initiative by myself was hard and freighting. Doing so has taught me a positive lesson. I have learned that if I see something that I feel is wrong, to speak upon it. Because in the long run not only will I be benefiting myself, I will also benefit my entire community. This characteristic of being a leader In my community is something I hope and am willing to continue when attending and becoming apart of UF's campus community.
I always noticed that there was a problem in every school I attended. That problem was bullying. I wanted to bring it to someone's attention and never did. Finally reaching my junior year in high school a surprise assembly was brought to my school called Rachel's Challenge. Rachels' challenge is a program brought to high schools to inform children on the effects of bullying. Rachel was the first person to be shot and killed in the Columbine high shootings. The shootings were the outcome of students being bullied.
Soon after seeing this assembly in my school I joined my cities Teen-task Force. A group ran by Mayor Scott Brook and others in the community willing to make a difference in teenagers lives. In the second meeting with the TTF I mentioned that bullying is a problem in our communities schools and that I would like to bring Rachels' challenge to my community as a whole. When addressing the issue, I was invited to a commissioners meeting by the mayor to discuss the problem among the City Commission. I attended the commissioners meeting and spoke about the topic; the board then approved my recommendation to bring it to the community.
Now I am known in my school and community as a youth leader. When having my recommendation approved was a great accomplishment because now there will be more community involvement which can help save children's lives. The experience of my going out and talking the initiative by myself was hard and freighting. Doing so has taught me a positive lesson. I have learned that if I see something that I feel is wrong, to speak upon it. Because in the long run not only will I be benefiting myself, I will also benefit my entire community. This characteristic of being a leader In my community is something I hope and am willing to continue when attending and becoming apart of UF's campus community.