I was waiting by the phone. My stomach was turning. I felt like I was going to throw up. AHHHH!!! I was waiting for the call that would pave the way for my next four years in high school. As I entered my freshman year in high school, I applied to the Renaissance Program. Renaissance is a leadership program and few freshmen are selected to join. The focus is to motivate, inspire, recognize, and celebrate student success. The program also recognizes staff for the commitment, vision, and dedication to student success. I really wanted to be part of this program as it impacted futures and changed lives. The application process was not easy. It consisted of a written essay and tough interview, which consisted of a panel of the executive council and the advisor. I was one of the seven who made it!

As long as I can remember, I have been helping people in one way or the other. My parents taught me early on the importance of caring for others. My earliest experience was as a member of the Girl Scouts. Unlike the people in Girl Scouts who were thrilled by the cookies and the campfires, all the events where we assisted and served the community were especially gratifying for me. These early experiences are what influenced me to apply for this Renaissance Program.

Coming into the program my freshmen year, I had a junior member who had three years of experience behind her training me and showing me the ropes of the class. My first year in the class, I was more of a follower than a leader who stood up and took charge, but as my sophomore year in the program begun I knew I wanted to mold myself to be a leader who took charge and learn as much as I could in the program. I headed more committees and took on more responsibilities such as addressing freshmen classes to inform them of the importance of freshmen year grades. As a sophomore I even acted as leader to seniors and spoke to them about the importance of college. I began to grow more and more through the course of my sophomore year. My junior year I was asked to train a freshman. Traditionally, only executive members trained the incoming freshmen but they chose me because I had shown growth as a leader.

Now, as the Secretary/Historian, I am the third in command serving a school of 3400 students. Renaissance presents a nationally recognized rally to celebrate school-wide achievement for students and staff. The workdays I need to prepare for events such as this range from ten to fifteen hour days. We also do various community service events to collect food and clothing for needy families. These are examples of the commitment required to be part of Renaissance.

I have gone through the application process every year, and in my final year, I am part of the executive council that makes all the critical decisions and establishes direction for the year. I now sit on the other side of the long table interviewing new candidates.

Now, I am not the nauseated freshman waiting at the phone for my leadership opportunity; I am a leader whose heart pounds with excitement as I click open my inbox awaiting my next opportunity to take my passion for service to the world of college.