Straight Talk and Strong Leadership by Nelson

Straight Talk and Strong Leadership by Nelson - December 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I were running for student body president, the number one way I would hope to positively impact our school would be by strengthening communication between students and campus leadership. I’ve learned through agriculture, ranching, and years in FFA that nothing succeeds—not a livestock operation, not a show team, not even a simple group project—unless everyone involved knows what’s going on and feels like their voice is part of the process. Clear, honest communication is the backbone of every strong community, and on a conservative Texas Panhandle campus like ours, where students value accountability, hard work, and integrity, it matters even more.

Right now, many students feel disconnected from decisions that affect them. Events pass without people knowing. Opportunities show up too late. Ideas and concerns don’t always reach the right ears. This creates frustration, but more importantly, it weakens the sense of unity that should define a small, tight-knit campus—especially one rooted in respected music and agriculture programs. My main goal would be to change that in a real, noticeable, day-to-day way.

If elected, I would work to make campus communication clearer, more consistent, and more personal. That means creating reliable ways for students to stay informed and making sure leadership is approachable and responsive. For example, I would push for weekly student updates, organized in a simple format that keeps everyone aware of upcoming events, deadlines, and decisions. I would also set up regular open-door sessions or student forums—not the kind that feel formal or rehearsed, but real conversations where students can ask questions, share concerns, and hear honest answers. When leaders actually listen and respond, trust grows naturally.

But better communication isn’t just about announcements or meetings. It’s about creating a culture where students feel comfortable speaking up and confident that someone is taking their ideas seriously. I come from a ranching family, where communication has to be direct and dependable. In FFA, as a leader, I learned the importance of checking in with people, making sure responsibilities are clear, and supporting teammates so everyone succeeds. I would bring those same habits into student government: follow-through, transparency, and a responsibility to represent others—not myself.

Improving communication also strengthens everything else on campus—friendship, involvement, pride, and tradition. When students feel in the loop, they show up. When they feel heard, they contribute. When they feel respected, they respond with respect. A campus where people know what’s happening is a campus where people want to be involved. That benefits our ag programs, our music programs, our organizations, our community service efforts, and every student who wants to find their place here.

If I accomplish only one thing as student body president, I want it to be this: a stronger bridge between students and leadership. I want everyone—from freshman to senior, ag major to music major—to feel informed, valued, and connected to the decisions shaping our campus. My goal is simple but powerful: to build trust through communication, because communication is what builds community.

That’s the kind of leadership I believe our campus deserves, and that’s the kind of leadership I’d work every day to deliver.