If you ask me, I would say that I was pretty lucky. My first day of college began at Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC), a private two-year institution located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. One of the biggest perks about it only being two years is, that as a freshman you are able to start campaigns and applications for the leadership positions that is available for the entrance of your sophomore year. Being the social butterfly that I am, I took advantage of those positions. During my final year at SMC I was Student Body President, a Pioneer Peer (orientation leader), was crowned Homecoming Queen, on the Homecoming Court, co-founder and secretary for the dance team Blue Chucks, a board member of the co-ed service fraternity, Kappa Sigma Alpha (KSA), Wesley Fellowship (talking with the institution’s Chaplin), and part of an organization that helped plan and organize the fun activities on campus called POPS (People Organizing Programs Successfully). One could look at the list and assume it was a lot. Let me tell you, your assumption was correct. Overwhelmed was an understatement. All the positions that I held were important, and I took very serious. Each of them helped me find characteristics about myself I did not know I had.
Being a leader has its moments. You automatically have a spotlight and extra pressure that you may or may not knew came along with the job. As I mentioned before, it does get overwhelming and it can get hard to manage especially when you are juggling other things at the same time. When you have days like that you just have to breathe and remember why you signed up. As an adviser or institution, you have to keep in mind that we are still college students. Some secondary schools as well as students have the ones in these leadership positions on high pedestals and when they make mistakes or the organizations starts to go downhill, the people in charge is chastised or begin to get blamed. As young adults, we are still learning and growing. An organization is not just made up of the leadership positions, there is also members who make the group so as a team, you have to grow together.
Having a disability causes me to have many insecurities. Something about being in these positions helped me with those things. Being a leader or getting involved on the college campus gets me out of my comfort zone and that is what I would advise you to do. Do not let your insecurities, and the wall you have built for yourself keep you from possibly getting your voice heard, building your resume, making difference at your school, and growing as an individual.
On behalf of both past and future SMC students, thank you for the early leadership opportunities. I want to thank the president, Mr. Cochran and my advisers, Mrs. Kim, Mrs. Sue, Mr. Aylor, Chappy, and Ms. Trina for helping me stay grounded and giving me the room I needed to grow and learn. And whenever you visit Spartanburg Methodist, ask somebody where I left my mark 😎😉
#stillRising 