determination is EVERYTHING

At the young age of six I loved the idea of helping out and being a leader, and I still do to this day. I used to stay after school and help the teachers grade papers, or clean the boards instead of going out to recess, sometimes I would even pick up trash on the way home from school. Yeah some kids thought I was weird, but what they said didn’t faze me, I knew what I was doing was right, and I had no reason to be ashamed. I believe in following your heart no matter what people say.

After a few weeks into sixth grade, student council sign-up slips were given out, and I returned mine the very next day, completely filled out. A while later, I recieved a neon pink paper congratulating me for being accepted into student council. The year went by fast and when our teacher announced that we could “now run for office”, the thought of being president never left my mind.

My mom was so happy when I told her my thoughts about running for president, she believed in me, even when I stopped believing in myself. For a couple of days, my mom and I sat, side to side, pondering the speech that was going to get me elected. I was nervous, I knew the older kids would make jokes about me, a little 11 year old girl, running for president, and their negative thoughts started to grow on me, I felt that I was setting myself up for mayjor disappointment. The night before our speeches, I spent searching my closet for the perfect outfit,and fretting over my hair. I believe in first impressions. I believe that the way you choose to express yourself on the outside, effects the way you feel on the inside.

Aside from getting no sleep that night, I was wide awake and ready to go in the morning.

As my mom drove me to school, she constantly reminded me that I was going to do great, and after her pep-talk, my body refused to stop shaking.

I waited patiently until my name was called, then stood to give my speech to a quiet room. All eyes were on me. I began with a simple “hello”, then jumped into the rest. I felt so relieved when I said my last word and heard the loud applause, but as I listened to others give their speeches, I began feeling less confident.

For three days, it was a huge competetion between a girl named Sloan, and I, we were great friends, but we got a little competitive.

Then came the day the winner would be announced over the intercom, and I was psyched!! Every student wait silently to hear the lucky name that was going to be called, and when my name was said, my class went up in roars!! I believe in determination, because now that I think back, I realize how much that experience changed me, and how much different I would be now, if I hadn’t followed my heart.