TAMIU GEAR UP IV 2015 Essay Contest

Our community is beautiful, yet delicate. It is made possible because of altruistic leaders in our community who help others in need. However, effective leaders are in short supply lately. Take me for example: I used to be a follower. As a result of Gear Up's guidance and because of the positive influence of three organizations, I was able to become a strong leader both in school and in my community. I owe my leadership skills to Gear Up, National Hispanic Institute (NHI), Peer Tutoring, and Tree Folks. Gear Up has inspired me to exceed my own expectations in my academic and personal pursuits. For example, Gear Up's motivational guest speakers made me realize that if we are to prevail and overcome whatever adversities we may face, it is up to us to speak up. Gear Up inspired me to be the voice where there is none. This brings me to the NHI which provides young people with the leadership skills by teaching oratorical and debate skills. NHI is peer-based so that the individuals are comfortable and can reach their full potential. It helps create awareness about the challenges that Latinos face as a minority group even though we are steadily increasing our numbers. As an NHI coach, my job is to guide and teach young people to become strong leaders by instilling them with valuable public speaking skills, especially impromptu. I coordinate this through motivational speeches, putting individuals on the spot, and providing strategies for public speaking. Through NHI, I help spread awareness and equality for Latinos. This is accomplished through our annual debate competitions that are hosted across the nation. Gear Up has remained steadfast since my first day of my high school year and continues to encourage us to speak out and do what is right. I learned about Peer Tutoring one day as I found myself deeply engrossed in my reading. I had finished my assignment early and pulled out my latest fiction book when my teacher approached me with a broad smile and that twinkle that says, "I know something you don't." He asked me if I'd ever been tutored before and, unsure of where this conversation was going, I admitted that I have. In fact, I am very grateful to the people who have dedicated time to assist me in a number of areas. That's when his face lit up and asked me if I would like to be an after school peer tutor. Without hesitation, I accepted and was soon tutoring everything from math to science. Since then, I have helped several students pass classes that, before, had seemed insurmountable. One case in particular stands out from the rest: he was a relatively short kid who always wore a stern face and didn't concern himself much about school. In fact, he was only at the tutorial session because his parents had obligated him to go since he was failing most of his classes already. Curious, I approached him only to be rejected with so much hostility. That did not deter me; I persisted and tried to get him to appreciate the system and to learn, but to no avail. Then, by mere chance, I noticed that he was into video games, particularly shooters. I decided to try an unorthodox method and started talking to him about video games and stringing him into an actual conversation with me. I was able to crack him and started to help him think in terms of his favorite game, Call of Duty. By cross referencing the game with algebraic terms and formulas, he began to comprehend; it worked! Pretty soon, he started improving his grades and, eventually, started to enjoy learning. I was able to spark interest in someone who had given up and was now well underway to passing his courses. This would not have been possible without Gear Up because they inspired me to reach out to my community. Prior to Gear Up, I had one mind set: finish school and go to college. Now I want to help others fulfill their goals, whether it is graduating, going to college, or landing a good job. Our community is not just about people, but about our environment as well. Litter abounds in our small town that lush healthy plants are scarce. Tree Folks promote the preservation of our environment and vegetation by planting trees and educating the public about the importance of wildlife. In 2012, this organization planted 78,000 trees. Before Tree Folks, I was indifferent about our environment. My family did not recycle, never volunteered to clean up litter, or never noticed beautification campaigns. Once I was educated in the Tree Folks' mission, I changed my ways. Now I recycle not only at home, but everywhere I go. I pick up litter regardless of where I find myself. At school,