PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS
1). Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
Throughout the year, there have been many times where my leadership skills were able to get me further in life. An example of this was in my music class last semester, when I got into a disagreement with one of my peers about a project we were creating. We couldn’t come to a solid decision that we BOTH agreed on. This led to chaos. Words were exchanged between the both of us for a while, but after a while I began to question myself and wondered what was the point of arguing, why am I not being the bigger person? I went to my teacher and made sure that he was aware of all the things that were occurring and him being the helpful teacher that he was, said that he would make sure everything was just fine. After I talked with him, I felt the courage to go up to my peer, apologize and let them do the project the way THEY wanted to do it. I knew it wouldn’t hurt to do one little project their way. I also knew it doesn’t cost anything to be the bigger and more mature person. I felt good about myself and felt proud because I was able to resolve one of my own personal disputes. My definition of a leader is someone who communicates powerfully, and solves problems. I believe that I have both of those things. My teacher was proud of me as well.
2). Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
Ever since I was little, I always had a passion for writing, singing and dancing. By writing, whether it was from school essays, to songs, or my feelings about something, I always felt like that was where I was able to show my creativity, and last but not least, the real me. Everything I couldn’t say to someone’s face I would write it down on paper and fully explain myself in a better way. There were times where I found myself in very hard situations. I didn’t have the courage to talk to any adult about certain things or any of my close friends, so I would just write it down. I knew that if I could put my trust into two things, my pencil and my notebook. This definitely changed me as a person because now I am able to write about my problems and not keep them bottled up inside of me. Not only writing, but singing and dancing also allowed me to be my true self and show my creative side. I still remember clearly the days as a little girl where I would write in my diary, sing in front of my family members just to put a smile on their face. I still express my creative side in the same way till this day. By doing this and being able to show who I truly am, it brings me so much joy and happiness.
3). What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
After years and years of learning more and more about myself, I can say with confidence that my greatest skill is my communication skills. I am able to feel overly confident when speaking to people from all different age groups. I feel like projecting my voice and making eye contact is natural when talking to someone. It’s so mind blowing to know that as a young girl, I would always be so shy when talking to someone. I still can remember the day when I had to present in front of my 6th grade History Class. I was so nervous, my voice began to shake and I couldn’t stay still. It was one of the worst days of my life. My head would be facing the floor and I would constantly stumble over my words. A way that I have developed and demonstrated this skill is by joining a program called Making Changes which helps me grow in my communication skills by conducting meetings to help with our public speaking. They help me with my posture, and my speech so that I no longer get tongue twisted as much. This program has helped a lot. Each time I go I see more and more improvement in myself, I get better and better every week, by the amount of pressure and support I receive from the people at my program.
4). Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.
My favorite academic subject would definitely have to be Joanne’s History class. During that class, I was always engaged and very curious to learn more about the things she was teaching. She definitely changed my perspective on how a history class should be. Middle school days, my history class was my least favorite subject, but once I had Joanne, it was amazing how in love I was with her class and how fun she made history for me. The content she was teaching influenced me because now I am able to look at the world, look back to the history she taught us, and everything makes sense. One of the activities I will always remember is when she had 4 different posters hanging up on her wall. Each one of them had 4 different races on them. One being black, one being Asian, and the two others were White and Mexican. We each had to write on all of them all the different stereotypes we heard that were connected with those different races. It was mind blowing to see all of the hurtful things that were being said, it inspired me to want to stop it and be the change that I wished to see in the world. It began to be clear to me that everything that is happening in today’s society has a reason behind it. I am now educated enough to educate my younger siblings about the things that are happening in today’s society all the way to stereotypes, slavery, discrimination and racism. This is all because of Joanne and her inspiring teaching.