Leadership by Hana

Leadership by Hana - December 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I were given the opportunity to serve as student body president, the number one way I would hope to positively impact my school is by strengthening the sense of unity, communication, and belonging among all students. To me, leadership is not about holding a title or standing at the front of a room—it is about listening, connecting, and creating real change that reflects what students actually need. My main goal would be to build a school environment where every student feels seen, understood, and involved, because a connected school is a stronger school.
One of the most important responsibilities of a leader is to make sure every voice can be heard. Too often, decisions are made by a small group of students without ever reaching the wider student body. If elected, I would work to create better communication between students and the Student Council. This would include things like regular open forum meetings, anonymous suggestion forms, and improved communication through social media or school announcements. By giving students more opportunities to share their ideas, struggles, and hopes for our school, we make them partners in the process instead of spectators. A school functions best when everyone feels like their input matters, because it does.
Along with improving communication, I would focus on creating more opportunities for students to get involved. Many students want to participate in school activities, but don’t know where to begin, or they feel like only certain groups are welcome. As student body president, I would work to make all clubs, events, and activities more inclusive and accessible. Whether through promoting lesser-known clubs, creating new leadership opportunities, or planning events that appeal to a wide range of interests, my goal would be to help every student find a place where they feel like they belong. When students feel connected to their school, their confidence grows, their motivation increases, and they feel proud of the community they’re part of.
Another important aspect of leadership is recognizing when something isn’t working and being willing to improve it. I would strive to open honest conversations about issues students experience, whether that’s stress, academic pressure, lack of connection, or school culture. My goal wouldn’t be to pretend that everything is perfect, but to work with students and administration to create realistic solutions. Leadership is about helping people, and the best way to help is by understanding their needs and taking action. I would work to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable speaking up about what affects them.
Most importantly, I want to lead by example. I believe leadership comes from showing kindness, respect, responsibility, and consistency every day, not just when people are watching. As student body president, I would show up not just with ideas, but with dedication. I would be present at meetings, engaged with students, and committed to following through on what I promise. Leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being willing to put in the effort and do the work. My goal would be to inspire others to lead as well as not only through roles or titles, but through their actions.
If I am trusted with the role of student body president, I will work to build a school where communication is strong, student voices are valued, and everyone feels part of something bigger than themselves. I want to create a school culture where kindness is the expectation, involvement is encouraged, and unity is the foundation of everything we do. Leadership is not about me; it’s about us, and about how we can lift our school higher together. That is the positive impact I hope to make, and it would be an honor to dedicate my time, effort, and heart to achieving it.