In today’s society, leadership is defined as many different things to many different individuals. For some, a leader is the person that runs our country. For others, leadership can simply be displayed in someone that takes responsibility and guides their peers in a classroom. Personally, I believe that a leader is someone who uses their own experiences to benefit those around them and simultaneously acquire new skills from others. During my time as an IUPUI Jaguar, I’m eager to develop new leadership skills and expand upon the ones I currently posses as I learn from fellow students. The single greatest opportunity in which I’ve led others during my high school experience came through the chance to guide and mentor one of my peers. At the
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I soon found out that I had been assigned to Thalia due to one very important similarity: we both suffered from depression and anxiety. Unlike Thalia though, I had learned how to persevere through my mental illnesses. While I sought to find hope and joy in every place I possibly could, Thalia saw hopeless, miserable darkness everywhere she looked. To her, it seemed as if no one else understood her or the issues she faced. She had never had a close friend before due to her social anxiety, and I desired to become that friend. Helping Thalia persist through her mental illnesses by teaching her to see the beauty in everyday life became my number one goal. I wanted to form a connection with Thalia that would change her life. Though it was difficult at first, I eventually broke through Thalia’s walls and she soon became comfortable with opening up to me. I came to be Thalia’s safe place, a friend whom she confided in when she felt like no one else was there for her. Previously prone to self-destructive tendencies, I was able to wean Thalia off of her bad habits and lead her to live a much happier lifestyle. Currently, Thalia and I remain friends and I’m grateful for the incredible opportunity I had to lead and mentor her into a life of perseverance and
I soon found out that I had been assigned to Thalia due to one very important similarity: we both suffered from depression and anxiety. Unlike Thalia though, I had learned how to persevere through my mental illnesses. While I sought to find hope and joy in every place I possibly could, Thalia saw hopeless, miserable darkness everywhere she looked. To her, it seemed as if no one else understood her or the issues she faced. She had never had a close friend before due to her social anxiety, and I desired to become that friend. Helping Thalia persist through her mental illnesses by teaching her to see the beauty in everyday life became my number one goal. I wanted to form a connection with Thalia that would change her life. Though it was difficult at first, I eventually broke through Thalia’s walls and she soon became comfortable with opening up to me. I came to be Thalia’s safe place, a friend whom she confided in when she felt like no one else was there for her. Previously prone to self-destructive tendencies, I was able to wean Thalia off of her bad habits and lead her to live a much happier lifestyle. Currently, Thalia and I remain friends and I’m grateful for the incredible opportunity I had to lead and mentor her into a life of perseverance and