Personal Narrative: The Tennessee American Legion Boys State

As people get older, leadership and involvement become a huge part of who they are and how they carry themselves. Are they able to take on responsibilities, express opinions and make decisions among their peers? Are they respectable and reliable and therefore able to inspire and support others? Are they outgoing, and positive? All are essential for a leader. Throughout the past 5 years, I have taken on several leadership roles. I have taken on more responsibilities in 4-H and Kane County Ambassadors. I have participated in high school cheerleading, competitive All-Star cheerleading, and Varsity cheerleading here at St. Ambrose. Additionally, I have gotten involved in SAU’s Student Government Association as the Freshmen Class President. Participation

When thinking about a personal experience that has greatly affected my life, the first thought that comes to mind is the week that I spent at the California State University of Sacramento (SAC State) attending the Boys State program. The American Legion Boy’s State program is where eleventh grade boys from across the state come together to learn about how the government of California functions. However, Boys State was much more than that for me. That one week had a greater effect on my life than any other experience I have had before.

“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others” according to Bill Gates, while John Maxwell tells people that “Leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less.” Neither of them completely capture leadership, but at the same time, neither of them are wrong. To be a leader, one must empower and influence those they lead in order to get the results they want. Neither one mentions that a leader must be confident in themselves and show others that they are confident with the decisions they make for themselves and others. As president of the Italian National Honor Society at my school, it is my job to promote excellence in the course, as well as in the community. Since our society values giving back to the community, we put an emphasis on community service. Many of the other students in the society worried about completing their hours. I showed them that they did not need to worry about getting their service hours by completing all of my required hours for both National and Italian Honor Societies before the end of November.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell

I have learned the importance of leading a large group of differing opinions into a unified force. I have also developed a strong sense of responsibility for my actions towards others and in holding a powerful position. I have held numerous leadership titles such as “Miss Junior Seven Hills” as well as “Miss Teen Seven Hills”. Through these opportunities I represented the city of Seven Hills at city and county wide events and learned the importance of communication and how to be a positive representative. I am a part of a handful of other clubs at school including Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Student Government, and Jazz Band. I am a completive dancer at Caliber Dance Company and have danced since I was 8 years old. Dance has taught me discipline and has proven to me that hard work pays off. Although I have experience in these various activities I think my most significant experience comes from my time as a member of NIMB. I have firsthand experience of feeling too intimidated to have fun and I want to ensure that no member of NIMB has the same feeling at any point throughout the season. I have seen many leaders of the band come and go and have learned that in order to be effective a Field Commander must be positive, personable, focused, and dedicated. I promise to personify these traits and use my experience in a beneficial

During my senior year in high school, I was selected to be a section leader for the flute section in my high school’s marching band. As section leader, I was responsible for a group of about 8 girls. I directed sectionals, critiqued the girls on musicality, and helped perfect their marching proficiency. Being section leader required a time commitment of at least 40 hours a week during the summer, and 15+ hours a week during the school year. In addition to putting in the hours, I wanted to be a great leader.

As an introvert, I never believed that leadership would be my cup of tea. Quiet, observant, soft-spoken. Those are not the traits of a leader...or so I thought. Then, I journeyed to Europe for 20 days with People to People to become a Student Ambassador. Meeting a Parliament member in England and representing The United States of America to a group of German students opened my eyes to the world of leadership and showed me how capable of leading I truly was. Entering my sophomore year of high school, I was selected to be a National Honor Society Member, the Vice President of the Beta Club, and a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. While all of the leadership positions I’ve experienced have been extraordinary and eye opening, the most significant

Being a leader is not considered a job or position. Becoming a leader is not a talent, job or position. Although, leadership can be rewarding and difficult at the same time. In today’s society, “the kind of leadership necessary to move social movements forward is very different from the type of leadership required in a military setting, especially on the battlefield. A more sharpened focus on leadership processes versus individual leader traits and behaviors deepens our understanding of the complexities and interactive nature of leadership” (Komives, Lucas and McMahon 2013, 46). My goal is to understand how to face the complexities in life as a leader to communities, universities, organizations, the workplace and the world. As a leader,

I occupy my time in clubs and activities that both captivate my interest and are most important for my peers and me. These include but are not limited to my positions in Link Crew, Student Council, and Senior Board. They range from Senior Class Representative to Vice President. Many of my teachers and mentors have identified a characteristic of mine as a great leader, and I wanted to improve on these skills. I don't dominate discussion or action, I simply guide it. I take all of my positions seriously and always bring my best attitude; my leadership methods distinguish me from other

What I have learned is that true leaders care about who they're leading. They must not just see others as a group, but also as unique individuals who have feelings, thoughts, needs, and wants. We must be compassionate, sympathetic, and generous to gain their respect. Through leading the band as drum major I have now realized this. While at times it may have been tough I always remember the Bible story of The Good Shepherd.

When I first joined the marching band in high school, I was very insecure and unsure of what to expect because it was very unfamiliar to me. Near the beginning of the season, our director and staff began to teach us how to march and play simultaneously. Many people were doing fine but some were struggling and I was one of those kids in that predicament.

From our beginnings we have been a nation of fighters. The American people fight not for for greed or power but for a brighter future. I owe it to our veterans to vote. I owe it to our activist to call out injustice. I owe to our protestors to force change. It is my responsibility to America to give everything I can to make this country the best it can be; For everyone who fought before me and everyone who has yet to

Cadets that have been trusted with positions in leadership have more responsibilities and are expected to be guiding the actions of their followers. Followers look up to and learn from their leaders and good leaders do not command their followers in a disrespectful manner, nor do they flaunt their authority over others. Leaders should possess the skills to motivate within their positions, this is how they prove that they have earned the right to have the responsibilities of a leader. These qualities will encourage followers to be loyal to, and respect their

There are many kinds of leaders; some lead through position and authority, while others lead through inspiration and vision. Some people are simply natural born leaders. However, whether one was born a leader or has to become a leader, all great leaders spend time developing their traits. Similarly, when you train for a sport, you first learn to develop the fundamentals, and then you work to master and apply them. I’ve been told I am a born leader, but have always sought to improve my leadership abilities through experience. Maxwell states, “The learned leader; has seen leadership modeled most of life, has learned leadership through training, and has self-discipline to become a great leader” (Maxwell, 93). This statement is reflective of my experience during my military tenure, and what it means to me is; leadership must be developed in practice, as well as in theory.

"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." Dwight D. Eisenhower This quote from Eisenhower rings true on many levels. During my career in the military and the private sector, I have been subjected to many different styles of leadership, good or bad. In my leadership roles I have attained, I tried to model leadership abilities by taking bits and pieces of previous leader’s styles and forming them into my own model. This has proven to work well as dealing with people from all different walks of life there is no one size fits all approach. In writing this paper, I will detail my own leadership platform drawing from the course material and various other sources. The goal of this paper is to show a solid understanding of the course teachings and perhaps give the reader a new found perspective on leadership.