Emma is currently in the 10th grade and enrolled at Ripon High school. She was voted and announced sophomore class vice president last year. In her job description she will support the class president, work on a community project, meet with head advisors, and improve communication between the senate. Ever since she was little she wanted to be a leader. In fourth grade, she was chosen to be apart of peer helpers at Colony Oak Elementary. After 4 years of being in the program she ran for Colony Oak’s school president. In 8th grade, she met her dream to be the school president. Her goals were to make the school a more positive place, make spirit days more inclusive and fun, and overall make school a place you don’t dread going to everyday. Once she found out the opportunity to continue with her passion of making changes and being a leader in high school, she applied for leadership. Freshmen year she did not make it into the leadership program. Not making it into leadership did not change her mindset. Emma realized what she did wrong and what she could improve on, and applied again the following year. She got into the leadership program sophomore year and it automatically felt like home. She created bonds with so many people she did not think she would connect with, she was more open minded to new ideas, she was not afraid to speak up for pros and cons of events, and she especially took in knowledge on self care, being a leader and how to spread positivity, thanks to the program and book, dare to Lead, by Brene Brown. Along the way, Emma has set goals to make for this year, and the future. She realized spreading gratitude and being kind are essentials to a great mindset and a happier community. One of her goals is to show that character strong is what our school needs more of. Simple complements, being there for people you may not be close with on an everyday basis, and sending messages to people that you do not thank everyday are some gestures our school needs. A personal goal for herself is to be mindful of self. When things get busy or chaotic she would like to set time aside for just herself. Taking naps, going on runs, yoga, playing with her animals or watching tv gives you personal time before you get back to a busy schedule. Yourself is more important than other things, put yourself first. A long time goal she would like to accomplish is following her dreams. She would like to go to a good four year college to pursue her education. She is not sure what she would like to major in, but she has an eye for design, animals, and health. After college she would like to have a supportive job and stable living. She would like to take her leadership knowledge and apply it to the world one day, whether it be her own children, or to large groups of people. She would like to make a change or difference in the world whether it be big or small. Emma is a believer in the mindset. A quote by Walt Disney says, “Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.” This quote has made a difference in her life. If you look at things with more positivity, it’ll make the outcome much better. Happiness is all in your head, it’s what you make of it is what counts. You can force yourself to be a much happier person if you change negatives into positives. Look at things on the bright side, and you will become a much more positive and happier person. It’s your mindset that gets you places in life. Emma would not be the same person she is today if she did not have a motivated mindset after each downfall in life.