Before Christmas I was in Florida meeting scouts for modeling and acting. During my week in Florida, I participated in many seminars that taught me so many things involving leadership that I did not expect to learn there. It proves that leadership can be taught and learned just about anywhere. James Pentaudi from Albany Talent Agency taught me that everyone should try to be a "YES" person. Saying "YES" instead of "yep" or "mhmm" etc., can show a person's eagerness on taking the initiative to be a leader. When you hear a "yes'' it can show a person that you are willing to go the extra mile to get the job done. Most people
react to ''yes'' people than to others. Keep in mind the tone of voice too! Another thing I learned was that you should be a leader rather than a follower. You should trust yourselves and your ideas and don't be afraid to start a committee or join one and share your ideas. If we all held back our ideas there would be nothing for others to gain. Ralph Waldo Emerson would probably agree when he stated "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." My faveourite quote is from Colonel Dandridge M. Malone "The very essence of leadership is its purpose. And the purpose of leadership is to accomplish a task. That is what leadership does–and what it does is more important than what it is or how it works." We all have to be a leader and help accomplish that task to help others, or you're community. For me, completeing every task makes everyday a little better. Knowing I've helped someone or helped the community for the better, makes me happy and that's why I am a leader!

Harold S. Greene said it best when he stated that "Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitudes and actions." But what he might not have added was that although leadership is practiced in attitudes and actions, it can also help shape a person, and teach them great values and skills. I even proved it to myself, through myself. This year, I am Volunteering with the Mount Pearl Crime Prevention Committee, and have been elected Level Two Rep for the Mount Pearl Senior High Student Council, also I have been accepted onto the Mount Pearl Youth Action Team. By volunteering on these committees I have learned and developed many leadership skills and qualities, and have learned how to be a better leader. Being a leader is to understand people, and involve them to help you do a job. You also have to learn through various characteristics such as determination, knowledge, skill, integrity, etc. to not accept failure and use each situation as a learning oppurtunity. I have been fortunate to have learned this, this year. My job is to not only bring ideas to the table for community events and school events, but to also motivate people to help within their comminity, and take part in creating a great events to benifit everyone. Being a leader isn't to produce followers, but to help create more leaders. By becoming a leader in my school and community, I have been able to try to accomplish that. Like I said previously, I proved how leadership can shape a person and their skills, values, attitudes and actions, through myself by taking a part and being involved. And I think that everyone should be involved in any way possible. Because it's the youth who needs to be prepared to run our future.