Personal Narrative: Freshman Connection

In the September of 2009 I made the decision to join the Anacortes Band program. I stayed with program all through middle school and high school, and in the end of my Sophomore year I was voted to be the leader of the Flute section. I was one of the youngest leaders my band director has ever seen. Being section leader, I had to lead sectionals, welcome and teach new members the ways of our band, and to help younger players in class when they were struggling. I may not have been the most experienced musician and I certainly was not the oldest, however through my natural talent as a leader I was able to grow my section to one of the closest groups in the band.

As a first generation college student, I have the desire to not only make my parents proud of my academic achievements, but to be the first person in my family to receive a college degree. At a very young age, I was always expected to receive A’s and B’s in my school assignments, as well as my final grades. However, I was never rewarded or congratulated whenever I did receive those grades because it was already expected of me to achieve them. Hence, a time in which I have experienced failure but also felt like I let my family down was when I received a D in my Critical Thinking course I was already retaking for the second time.

I want to be part of the SHS board of officers because not only do I take pride and jubilance from my spanish heritage and background, but I work arduously to be a salient member of anything I am a part of. I want to learn from others and gain more responsibility to ensure me a more auspicious future. I believe that by being in such an honorable society and as an officer, I can impact my peers as well as gain knowledge from others and their different cultures. As a current member of the Spanish Honor Society, I have already left a mark, by being published in the March edition of Albricias for a drawing.

One past leadership position that I held in high school was the presidential seat of National Honor Society. Through this leadership position, I’ve gained communication skills between teachers and fifty students in the organization. I’ve promoted and facilitated community service activities. I’ve also learned to engage actively with colleagues and branch out of my comfort zone, especially when it is something I am passionate about. As the president, I delegate responsibilities to board members that I worked closely with to achieve the organization’s goals. Currently, I am holding a leadership position at the University YMCA as a co-leader of a program that is designed to empower youth to success. Through this leadership position, I’ve gained

When I graduated High School, I was focused and ready for a fresh start at a new University. Unfortunately, just a few weeks prior to my departure for school, unexpected family financial problems arose. Once this happened, I knew I was not going to be able to attend a four year university right away. I decided to move out, and attend a community college. Once school began, I realized it was a completely different environment than where I was supposed to go. My initial goal was to make the most out of the unfortunate situation, and focus on getting the best grades possible so I could transfer with ease. However, my priorities soon shifted from school, to hanging out with friends and experiencing everything new that the town had to offer. This approach quickly led to declining grades, and a melancholy feeling because of the situation I had put myself in.

I have been blessed with many great opportunities in the past three years to serve and increase my leadership skills. I have played soccer for my high school, and was voted Team Captain of the varsity team by my teammates. I absolutely loved growing closer to each one of those girls, and being an example to them both on and off of the field.

Together with Community Action for Teens, they showed me that there is more to life than academics through community service and leadership skills. As a leader, I gained confidence and increase my self-esteem. Additionally, Simon Scholars taught me that change can occur no matter what situation we grow up in. The barriers in my life do not define who I am. On top of that, I would not have to fear about filling into the shoes of an adult thanks to their resources. Their unyielding support have increased my resilience that I will carry with me. I realize that I will have a bright

In five to ten years, I am uncertain of where I will be, which career I will have, or what activities I will be a part of, which I believe to be the truth for most entering college. However, the four pillars of Purdue University’s Honors College are, to an extent, already instilled within my character. I am certain that with being an Honors student in the future, I will be living a life only possible through cultivating my already existing character traits into columns to support not only my education, but my life after college.

During my freshman year of high school I struggled in many areas of my life including personal, social, and academic. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship, struggling with my self-esteem, and fighting to keep my grades above c 's. Since then I have grown, learned from my experiences and it can all be seen through my transcripts and the friend group I now surround myself with.

Sophomore year was an especially hard year for me. It was my second year at Wahlert High School and because I was the new kid the beginning of freshman year, I still felt like the new girl. Plus, I was trying to maintain my social life, play volleyball, participate in band, choir and show choir, act in plays, and manage school and homework.

Throughout high school I believe I have demonstrated my leadership by being involved with BuildOn. I have been very active around my community and in school through various events and programs. Being involved and being aware about what is happening in your community is important for multiple reasons. For one, community helps individuals grow both spiritually and

"The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others." This is quoted from Mahatma Gandhi, and is fitting when talking about my experiences in the JROTC service programs I have involved myself in so far this current school year. Not only have I been able to provide a service for Central High School, athletic games, and Veteran's Day programs for children, I have been able to gain more respect from my peers, superiors, and myself. My services for JROTC have all ranged in description, but all fall under color guard events I have volunteered myself part in. These services have included taking part in a team that worked on several color guard events for volleyball games, a competition team where we represented Central High

Throughout my experience in Ridgewood High School, I got a chance to show my leadership skills. Showing it by helping others and be responsible. To be in a leadership position encouraged me to show who I am as a student, and help me to build myself by learning from others.

Through my four years of high school by being in clubs, sports, and other activities I have had many great high school experiences but my most valuable experience i have experienced in high school has to be becoming a peer assistant for students with disabilities my senior year.

The members played a big part in this personal growth of mine, as well. I was shocked when random community members would come up to me to congratulate me on a win or ask how the teams are looking. It was important for me to be assured that they care about the things I was doing. These small conversations felt like an invitation for me to start and hold meaningful conversations with adults. Some of the greatest lessons that I have taken from high school are lessons that have nothing to do with the curriculum. Having the confidence to have a real conversation with adults who have experience living through some of the challenges I am going through has helped me to succeed in tough