When I first joined this program in September, I did not feel like I was the right fit for the course. I was a super quiet kid, and felt very out of place compared to everyone else. Because of this, I made my original course goal to be more extroverted, and to step out of my social comfort zone. Looking back now, I can confidently say that I am definitely more outgoing, and I am much more comfortable in a social situation. Putting me in a leadership position made me grow more confident and set me up for my future. I can take the leadership skills and confidence I gained from this course into my real life after high school is over.

I gained many valuable friendships through this course, and I also learned how to work collaboratively with others. I learnt valuable communication skills in a group setting which will be essential for post-secondary education. I believe my time in this program was extremely valuable and will be a happy memory to look back on in the future.

I enjoyed organizing events for the student class, and also fixing problems that randomly occurred during the events. Having this responsibility on my shoulders as a leadership student was very exciting and fun.

My key takeaway from Leadership 12 is that the small things matter. Being on time, going to meetings, and saying my ideas in a group setting was much more important than I thought. Showing my dedication to the course put trust in my peers and allowed everyone to work together more efficiently. Because everyone in the course was so accepting, saying my ideas felt rewarding and satisfying.

Overall, I am extremely happy with my choice of taking this course, and I am forever grateful to the teachers and students that helped me along the way. I believe that every student in high school should take leadership at least once for the growth and experience. I can confidently say that the course has made me a better person.