"I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people."
-Mahatma Gandhi
___________________________________________________________
To have a group of genuine and caring people in one classroom is a very rare thing. I am lucky enough to be apart of the Treasure Mountain Junior High Leadership Class which is full of thirty amazing individuals. Without this class, I would not have built some of the friendships I have now. AND I wouldn't be as confident in my abilities as a leader. I used to be unknown to the student body, quiet, weird, awkward, and unimportant. Because of this class, I have come out of my shell and shown my peers who I am and what I have to offer.
Some of the incredible people in my class include: Emma Burke, Samantha Bush, Ben Butcher, Marta Myshrall, Matt Whipple, Micaela Berglund, Emma Louden, Leah Anderson, Lauren MacRitchie, Lane Radovan, Evie Edwards, Elaine Prom and SOOOOO many more. I am so thankful for the relationships I have built, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.
 |
| (L to R) Claire, Marta, and Elaine at the Utah Allies Dinner Photo Courtesy of Claire |
 |
| (L to R) Marta, Emma, Claire, and Samantha at TMJH Registration Photo Courtesy of Claire |
From leadership, I have learned to never doubt myself. Failure follows self doubt, and I have learned that the most important thing is to love yourself. By telling myself things will work out, they (almost) always do. I have also gained the ability to have an open mind. In a room full of opinionated and often bossy teenagers, you have to allow yourself to consider other people's ideas and thoughts. Everything I do in leadership is collaborative and I wouldn't complete any of my tasks without the help of my classmates.
Anyone can be a leader, and I have learned that the power of my voice is huge. If I want change, I can make it happen, and don't need to wait around for anyone else to do it. I am in control of what happens in my life, and it is important for me to take control of things that I am passionate about. By simply voicing my opinion things the original path can be altered. Not everyone is perfect, and I have learned that my ideas aren't always great. We all fail. It is important to try and learn from your mistakes. Yet, you can't learn if you don't throw yourself out there.
To put it simply, I am a better person because of the TMJH Leadership class, and I have all of my classmates to thank for that. Leadership has changed my life in the best way possible.
