Where Students Rise by Om

Where Students Rise by Om - December 2025 Scholarship Essay

The number one way I would hope to positively impact my school is by creating an environment where every single student feels supported enough to grow. My own growth never came from being the loudest or most confident person in the room; it came from learning to take initiative even when I felt unsure of myself. That mindset is what I would bring to the school community.

A lot of my leadership skills began outside the classroom when I started helping my aunt run her jewelry booths. I had no idea what I was doing. I was quiet, nervous, and honestly scared to talk to customers. I made little mistakes, like charging the wrong prices or mixing up orders. But instead of backing away, I watched how people reacted, studied what worked and what didn’t, wrote things down, and trained myself to speak confidently. That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me how quickly one can grow when they’re willing to learn in real-time.

Around the same time, I began helping small business owners program LED advertising panels. Most of them bought the technology but didn’t know how to set it up. I didn’t either, but I spent days learning the software, troubleshooting issues, and experimenting until it worked. Every time a display came to life and a business owner thanked me, I saw how leadership is really about solving problems, being patient, and communicating clearly, especially when others rely on you.

Those experiences shaped the type of impact I want to make at school. If I were student body president, my main initiative would be to create spaces that let students try new things without the fear of failure. I would start with a Student Collaboration Lab, a place where students can come together to work on ideas—whether it’s starting a club, launching an event, or creating something for the community. Many students have great ideas, but don’t know where to start or don’t have a group to collaborate with. This Lab would be a supportive hub where students can brainstorm, learn from each other, and turn ideas into real projects. I would also form a Student Voice Network, a monthly open meeting where any student can directly share concerns or suggestions with the council. Schools work better when students feel heard, but the gap between the student body and student leadership is often too big. This network would make communication direct, transparent, and meaningful.

Finally, I would work to create partnerships with small businesses and community organizations so students can gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and see the real impact of their efforts, just like I did. Leadership feels different when you’re working with real people who genuinely benefit from what you create.

My goal as student body president would be to build a culture where students trust their own ideas, embrace challenges, support one another, and feel capable of doing more than they thought they could. I want every student to feel that this school is a place where they can grow and where someone is rooting for them to succeed.