Reflective Essay On Tennessee's Mission And Vision

On Tennessee’s “Mission and Vision” website page, it lists the following Volunteer values: knowledge, leadership, diversity, engagement, and stewardship. These characteristics are something I strive for and that the state of Tennessee has always tried to accomplished. It was the War of 1812 when Tennessee received the nickname the “Volunteer State.” So many men from Tennessee volunteered to defend their nation. It is that courage that inspires me. I have been a Volunteer since the day I was born. I grew up with a family of Tennessee alumni and a love for helping other people whether it be mission work or stepping up to do something that no one else will. Succeeding in academics is something that my father always pressured in my family. I used to get frustrated that he had such high
No. Did I ask for over 200 students to look up to me as a senior? No. Would I have had it any other way? Never. I hope I can make a difference in a ninth graders life because they looked up to me as a leader. Leaders cannot accomplish everything by themselves. They need teamwork. The beautiful thing about people is that not one person is like another whether it be their physical appearance or their opinions and beliefs. People are afraid to voice their opinions in a group in fear of being rejected. I used to be that way, but over time, I embraced it. It did not matter what they thought as long as my opinion was voiced. By not putting myself and my thoughts out there, the only person I was hurting was myself. Over time, I learned that I needed to step out of my comfort zone. It did not matter to me what my peers thought because I could not let them tear me down. I had to make my own decisions. I enjoyed going to a variety of camps where I got to meet people across the U.S, and I enjoyed joining multiple clubs and sports to get myself more involved in my school and community. I put myself out there so that in a way I can help those I was