Rushad Ahmed 

AP English Lit 
5/3/19 

Pride Sample

Nearing the end of my junior year, I was granted the privilege to attend the Rotary

Youth leadership award camp. At this isolated three day camp, I met and interacted with students

from other schools across the Central Valley. Because of the immense lineup of high-achieving

attendees, my world was open to intriguing viewpoints and valuable experiences. I was

nominated by teachers because I demonstrated good character and possessed leadership qualities.

Following this, I was interviewed and selected from other hard working juniors by the local

rotary club advisors. Counselors and faculty members in my school praise this camp for its

prestige and it is considered to be one of the highest honors a student could receive.

- My experience at the camp included discussion among other students who are leaders

in their school, team building exercises, public speakers, and the understanding of what it

means to be here. At this camp, I was the chairperson for my cabin as well as one of the 6

chairperson's overall to lead all the students who attended this camp. Having the highest

position at the camp was an absolute honor. As chairperson, we organize all the events

we have planned in the 15 hour schedule. We decide on what time in the morning we

should be up as well as what time at night we should complete our day. Initially,

collaborating with other chairpersons was quite a hassle. I felt reserved and felt very

intimidated being one of the only asian as a chair. However, I persevered through that

thought because I was nominated to be here for a reason. It’s understandable that when
 you combine a group of leaders from their school into one camp, it will seem

intimidating. It was not until hours later we realized that our skills and personalities will

actually class together as one extraordinary team. My original thought of my fellow cabin

members seemed as if we would not get along and we felt as if we were just refugees

combined into a group. In order to break this communication barrier, the team building

exercises that I built for my cabin as well as for other cabins had seemed to carry out an

operation and teamwork.

- As leaders, we understand that teamwork and collaboration is more effective then only

one carrying out a task and handing orders. In order to prove to my peers that my voice

was worthwhile, I realized I had to build a relationship to earn their respect. Because I

was able to work in a methodical manner, I quickly became a well-founded person for

ideas and advice. Consequently, my cabin began to be more successful resulting in first

place wins in every academic and athletic competition thrown upon us. Overall, this

camp has brought to my attention that if I can work among leaders from other schools

and make a camp work as a team, then I am ready to take my next journey into being a

greater leader in my, school, and community.