Summer Leadership Personal Statement

In the summer of 2013 I experienced nine days of the pure Alaskan terrain alongside one-hundred or so fellow cadets, learning about teamwork and leadership that would aid me in my future endeavors; or so said the forms my parents all-too-willingly signed, and I reluctantly and with careful uncertainty did so as well. I was an excellent cadet—involved in all community service opportunities as possible, participating in all color guard presentations possible, and dedicating two extra hours in my mornings to drilling my feet sore for the sake of maintaining the Eagle River High School’s reputable drill team status. But my one deficiency that grayed my instructor’s heads and made me appear less accomplished with my missing ribbons that were on

Winter Survival did nothing for my leadership understanding despite teach me how to make a tent in the snow out of snow and lukewarm water, and that I must bring many many many pairs of socks and gloves, unless I’d prefer to live a life without my extremities. All around, that experience caused more pain than gain. But Summer Leadership School (abbreviated SLS) taught me all the necessary qualities of being a part of a team, and leading others to success. It gave me the pain, PLUS the

I was in no shape to be left to my own devices in the wilderness, and with none of the amenities of a pleasant living area. And thus I was thrown in, and welcomed semi-positively by a drill sergeant of thirty-plus years yelling at me to kiss the dirt if I didn’t get off the bus in the time allowed by his thunderous voice. I followed directions and attempted to blend in with the other cadets, hoping my disguise would deter him from picking me out of the group and getting in my face as he demonstrated quite masterfully on our arrival. I succeeded, but for a short time. I was promoted within the first day to the Flight Sergeant, one position under the Commander. We were Delta Flight, and I could not have been more proud of the group of cadets that I had under my wing (get it? Two or more flights is a wing). However, my own leadership abilities were tested quickly when multiple cadets were either over-achievers or under-achievers, and constantly fought with each other every second they got. In order to make us work together as a team, I was challenged to demonstrate my knowledge of team-building exercises, even as I was not the commander. This was due to a lack of leaderships and communication skills from the assigned commander, whom the cadets undermined his authority and took advantage of his