As a student who attends Spokane Falls Community College, I’ve shown my leadership skills as a collegiate golfer. Being a part of such a highly competitive team; I’ve learned that being encouraging at all times creates a good environment for everyone. I like to bring people up with the things I say when I can tell they are feeling down. There are three principles that I live by and demonstrate on a daily basis as I lead my team on and off the golf course.

The first principle that I live my life by and demonstrate to my team mates is, “Your attitude toward anything in life is completely in your control” -Micah Lacerte. Most people think that golf is an individual sport, but what people don’t understand is that particularly in collegiate golf, the team score is comprised of the top three individual scores. I’ve experienced this first-hand at the Grays Harbor Open this past fall. I placed second overall as an individual but I was just one piece to the puzzle that led my team to place first overall.  The only way this was achieved was because after the first round, we were able to debrief as a team and motivate each other to be even better in the second round.

My second principle is, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal” – Henry Ford. On the course, you see all types of obstacles including trees, water hazards, sand traps, out of bounds areas, and more. Golf courses are a good example of life.  Amongst all those obstacles I must focus on the best way to get the ball into the cup.  As a team, we have to learn the course and how we should play each hole.  We talk with each other as we practice and discuss the best strategy to accomplish our goal-to finish eighteen holes with the fewest strokes.  As a leader on my team I have found that by encouraging others to see beyond the obstacles we don’t allow the obstacles to become barriers to our goals.  I also believe that this principle renders true in life as there will always be barriers.  We must relentlessly press forward.

My third and final leadership principal that I demonstrate in all aspects of my life is, “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody” – Unknown. This is the most important principle because it is applicable in all aspects of my life. Words of affirmation has made a drastic impact on my life, and it has been by the grace of encouragement that I have had the motivation to pursue my goal, and witness the success on the golf course. But, as much as I love to receive inspiring words of encouragement to help me through obstacles, I equally like to encourage others. I love making sure that whatever I say to people, especially my teammates, is something that they will always remember and remind them that they are special in every way. I believe in the power of words, and I believe that speaking life into situations, will not only change your attitude, connecting this to my first leadership principle, but the positive words can intervene in any situation. In my first season as a collegiate athlete, this principle has remained the foundation of my success in the transition into a new school, and on a new team, golfing new courses. The only thing that remained constant was the positivity, and that is something I treasure, and utilize for each and every person I meet.

In conclusion, the core of my leadership has been demonstrated throughout my experience as a member of a high school and college golf team.  There are so many obstacles in life and on a golf course  that can take away one’s focus on the goal.  Leaders encourage and leaders lead by example.  My experiences allow my leadership to grow.

My name is Madeline Miller, and I am a 20-year-old sophomore student at Saint Martin’s University. All of my various positions of leadership, through my involvement in numerous activities has brought me to where I am today. Currently I am double majoring in Political Science and History, this semester I have started to take classes to complete a minor in Legal Studies. Recently I found out that I am two classes away from a Minor in Global Studies as well, which is something I will be completing by graduation. I plan on continuing to attend St. Martin’s University for two more years and obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree with the previously aforementioned double majors and minors, and then continuing my education at law school to earn my Juris Doctorate and pursue a legal career. Ideally I would like to practice Maritime, Transportation, or Trade law. I have been a leader in many different facets of my school, work and community throughout the years and my leadership pursuits as well as qualities have paved the way for the degree and education that I am currently working on, and essentially shaped who I am today.

In regards to school I challenge myself with higher level classes (300+) and an 18 credit per semester course load, and I involve myself on campus in various activities. There is a famous quote by Ray Kroc: “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves,” this is one of my favorite quotes. I set high standards for myself in all I do, but with school especially. I have participated in activities and taken on tasks beyond my comfort zone, pursuing positions of leadership that I otherwise would not have pursued. For example, I am on the Saint Martin’s University Cheerleading Team, where my teammates and coaches voted for me to be Captain for the past two years, and I have recently been elected again for the next year. Throughout the school year I was also on the Board of Trustees committees for Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. I was also invited to be on the Institutional Student Affairs Committee by the Dean of Students, and have held that position since my freshman year. Last Spring I ran for and was elected to the position of Executive Secretary on the student government (Associated Students of Saint Martin’s University) for the 2016-2017 school year. I intend on running for re-election in the position of Vice President in the Spring again this year. I was inducted into the esteemed honor society on campus; The Society of Fellows, for my academic achievements, campus involvement, leadership skills and “contributions to the Human family.” Additionally I work as an English tutor in the library at school tutoring students of all levels (Freshman to Masters) including International Students. In high school I was highly involved in various leadership roles as well. I was ASB Vice President, heavily involved in the National Honor Society, as well as Cheerleading Captain of both squads for my junior and senior years. I also was in Leadership, Yearbook, Theater and FFA in high school. My parents always kept me very involved and so I learned invaluable leadership skills throughout all the activities I participated in.

Moreover I strive to exude the qualities of a great leader in the various jobs that I have held over the years. Throughout my childhood, and still now, I work for my Mom’s catering company, in this position I use my leadership skills for customer service and efficiency, sometimes also problem solving as catering is unpredictable! My first official job outside the family business was as a Retail Sales Associate at Rue21, I put my leadership skills to work through customer service and challenging myself to reach new sales goals. I was top in sales on several occasions, Employee of the Month, and I also received several positive customer comment cards. Later on in high school I obtained a position at Starbucks as a barista, there I put a great deal of leadership skills to use in the fast paced environment, I was typically the first person called to cover shifts because I am very reliable. I learned invaluable customer service skills and problem solving. Currently I am working at Saint Martin’s University as a tutor, this uses many of my leadership skills. Such as patience, extensive knowledge, and kindness to tutor students effectively and yield returns to the tutoring center. I also currently am working at Doria’s prom and bridal shop on the weekends, which involves a great deal of customer service skills. Sometimes I am with a single customer for hours on end, helping them find the perfect gown, and you have to build a relationship with clients. Another professional position I held was as an intern at a private company within the transportation industry. Taking the initiative to pursue an internship as a freshmen exemplifies my leadership skills on several levels. I learned a great deal at the internship and I currently have four different internship opportunities for the upcoming summer.

Finally within the community I find myself taking on various leadership roles while volunteering my time at different organizations and events. I believe that it is the duty of those who have the ability to give back to the community in any way possible. All of my various volunteer endeavors are listed in the application but there are a few that I am most proud of, the times I get to volunteer with children! I love being able to work with children whether it is through cheerleading, reading or any of the other various events I participate in that involve kids. Setting an example is something I believe in firmly because there is always someone watching you, if you are fortunate to have a little set of eyes looking up to you, then there is great power to make a difference. Leadership essentially is making a difference, helping others and setting a positive example for others to do so as well.

In conclusion, I believe that being a leader has brought me where I am today and lit the path that I have for the future. Being a leader has taught me many invaluable lessons and qualities such as confidence, focus, grace under pressure, integrity, passion and patience. These are all qualities that I have learned through being involved in school, work, and my community. Leadership has instilled in me a drive for changing the world, a sense of agency and the desire to help and inspire others!