| Students are asked to write a creative essay regarding their qualifications as a student leader. A $500 award is provided to the winning essay through the Angelo and Jenny Mastrian Charitable Trust. The 2009 winner was Jackson G. Jones. Below is a copy of his winning essay. |
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| Jackson G. Jones |
What is a vision? I will start off by saying, it is the ability to see, emerge, or come into fruition a dream or desire before it becomes a reality. How would one characterize the characteristics of a leader? I pose a rhetorical question. Is it one who displays integrity, excellence, or the ability to lead as well as follow? My answer is yes. and I believe that John F. Kennedy exemplified those qualities as the 35th President of the United States of America.
John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". His leadership far exceeded his years, he was a visionary who educated himself, served in the United States Navy, and pledged his Presidential Campaign to get America's economy back on track. What resonated home to me was his ability to include others to follow his plan of action. He was an example that many individuals were willing to follow.
I envision myself contributing to my country by first forming a solid foundation. This consists of obtaining an education and helping others obtain an education as well, by giving of my time and finances. There are endless opportunities for you when you have an education. All my life I have had people, including my family, push me to be successful in life and in my education. Today, we are in a recession and we need educated individuals to help solve the economic problems in our government. We need people to make plans to better our economy. Many young people are dropping out of school and joining gangs, which will lead them to trouble, in lieu of getting an education. I will be an example for them in the future. I will push them to be successful just the way my family pushed me. My family encouraged me to strive for excellence, and plan ahead for my future. I believe young people need to be exposed to the education venue. Exposing young people to national leadership conferences, summer college programs, and job shadowing brings to reality that they can achieve this for their life and family.
John F. Kennedy said, "The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty". We have the power and authority to bring our country together and help others; that is what makes the United States a better country. This can only happen when individuals, such as myself, use our God given ability to reach back by giving young people a hand up, not a hand out. Giving of our time and volunteering our services not looking for financial gain, is needed. There is an old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child". This is a true statement. We must all take the initiative to educate our young people. By educating our young people, everyone benefits: the elderly, the less fortunate, our economy, the job market, and our own community. The young people are the heirs to our future, but, what future will they have without an education?
The people in our country need motivation and inspiration. That is what John F. Kennedy's speech was about. I am a protege of people inspiring me not to settle for mediocrity, but to strive for excellence. I will do the same for someone else. Change in our country begins with our young people. We need to encourage our young people to get an education and get a degree. It is harder to make it in the world without an education. I want to be an example and a leader for the future young people in our country. If we had more people with thIS same determination, we would have better school systems, better job opportunities, and better futures for our young people. |
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