Bella Danker

Bowyer

Expos

14 De2016

REVISION Personal Essay

The person I am today has been shaped by numerous obstacles, individuals, and my

continual love for life.The greatest impact began the first day of my freshman year when I

walked into my leadership class. My strong passion for helping others was molded by each

experience I faced throughout the past four years in leadership. I have grown immensely and

discovered who I am and the potential I have to achieve my goals. Without each experience I

have been through and person I have known, I wouldnt be the character I am. My family,

friends, role models, and community haves shaped me in more ways than I can express. These

people and moments have made me a believer in unconditional love for all, and the idea that

there is hope for a better world. Although I still have many years of growth ahead, each moment

so far in my young life has made me who I am:; ambitious, hopeful, and compassionate.

As a timid freshman I was apprehensive walking into my Leadership class on the first

day of high school. The room was filled with roaring, confident upperclassmen, and I did not

know how I would fit into this atmosphere. My teacher started the class by showing us a

motivational video on our self-worth and how each of us had the power to change the world.

This followed with an intimidating statement of You are powerful. You can change the world

(Potter). Soon after, I knew this class would be life-changing.

 Once acknowledging the power I had inside to change lives and the world, I quickly

sprung into action. I started by helping change lives at my school. My newly found confidence

and persistence lead me to making the high school volleyball team where I decided it was my

duty to be the best teammate I could be. As a result I became head captain, and I was able to help

show my teammates their potential as players and individuals. My passion for the sport as well

as love for my teammates helped us win league champions three years in a row. My teammates

taught me many invaluable lessons and showed me that I can accomplish much more working

with others to achieve a goal than I could have alone.

Continuing my drive to help as many people as possible, I broadened my change

throughout my community. My leadership class and I organized a multitude of charity events

which started with the management of canned food drives and clothing donations at school. The

connections made with others throughout my community helped strengthen my passion for

helping others. I had the opportunity to meet incredible people who may have been

underprivileged financially, but emotionally affluent. I was humbled that such simple acts could

benefit so many lives.

One thing I have always credited myself foron is my constant drive for success, and. Although I

must say I owe this to one of my role models, my older sister, who has always told me, if there

is a will, []-there is a way.. This idea is one I have always lived by;: hard work and persistence

does pay off. Even if this idea is not necessarily true,; because trust me I know failures do come

even when you work the hardest, as humans we have to be hopeful of this and stay diligent. This

is a quality I pride myself on having, my commitment and drive for success.

 I am very involved in my lLeadership class at school, as I have been in the class for all

four years of high school. This wasnt any ordinary experience, and my teacher Mr. Potter wasnt

any ordinary teacher. This class helped shape something that I already had in me: my love for

life and helping others. I believe that compassion is a trait that everyone on Earth should possess,

yet seems to be something our world is lacking at the moment. Possibly I was just born this way,

or my lLeadership class and family has instilled this idea in me,; but I believe everyone on this

Earth deserves happiness no matter what. I believe in a better world in which we are all selfless

instead of greedy, and hopeful rather than pessimistic.

Although I constantly seek adventure and travel, my community has taught me that a part

of myself will always stay where I came from. I am extremely grateful for my parents, who have

instilled the most important lessons in me. I believe that my mother and father have had the

biggest impact on my life;, therefore, this makes them my biggest role models. From my father, I

have learned to be selfless and persistent. No matter the hardship, my dad has kept his cool and

worked hard through any struggle. Somehow, even after working as hard as he does, he cares

about the well-being of everyone else before himself. My father is by far the most kind-hearted

person I have ever known, and I am thankful to have someone this loving and devoted as my role

model. From my mother, I have learned to be independent, passionate, and brave. My mom has

taught me a multitude of lessons, which have greatly shaped who I am. When I dont believe in

myself, she has always been there to believe in me enough for both of us. She has taught me that

I can do anything in this world, as long as I give it my all. I will always be grateful to have

someone in my life that believes in me and my dreams more than I ever could. Both of my

parents have given me unconditional love and support in everything I do,; and although I believe
I will never be half the person these two are, I owe my loving and hard-working characteristics to

them. The reason I feel ready to go to college, and even move across the country, is because I

know I have these two inspiring people supporting me every step of the way.

My dreams and aspirations have been shaped by each experience I have been through.

Although I am not yet sure of exactly what I want to do, or who I want to be, I am positive about

one thing: I want to change lives. For as long as I can remember I have loved helping people.

The littlest things such as seeing the happiness on a persons face when they receive a

compliment, or the thankfulness they give when you open the door for them, is what makes me

feel the best. Empowerment is a tricky thing because even though our hope is to bring someone

else joy, the feeling we get in return is just as effective. I try my hardest to do my part in making

the world a safe, happy environment for everyone. I am lucky enough to have role models who

have shown me the difference I can make in other peoples lives.have such an extraordinary life,

so the least I can do is help those less fortunate than meI. My dream is to have a future of helping

others, and I am determined to make this dream come true.

Although there haves been many obstacles in my life, as in every life, I am grateful for

each experience and how it has shaped me. My future moments will add more depth to who I am,

but for the time being, I am blessed to know that I have such wonderful people standing beside

me. Knowing that more great people and experiences are ahead makes me excited to see what

my future will bring. I feel ready for this next step of my life, and am eager to embrace wherever

this might take me.

Everyone has the power to change the world. As a high school senior I do not know

where my future will take me. However, I am hopeful that it will lead me to a four year
university, where I intend to not only continue my passion for helping others and empowering

people worldwide, but also plan to give my peers the confidence to partake in this movement as

my leadership teacher once did for me. I feel ready for the next step of my life, and am eager to

embrace wherever it might take me.