When my sister was on Student Council, I got to see firsthand how much effort goes into organizing school events. One of the biggest things I remember is HocCho, the hot-chocolate–selling event. She would get up early, head to school before everyone else, and help serve hot chocolate to students. Watching her do that, not because she had to, but because she cared, made me see student council in a completely different way. It showed me how much behind-the-scenes work goes into making school feel more connected and fun.
Seeing her dedication made me want to be involved too. So I ran for student council my freshman year, excited to take on something meaningful. When I didn’t get elected, it really stung. It didn’t felt very encouraging, especially after seeing how rewarding the experience had been for her. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what made her time in student council special wasn’t anything dramatic; it was the effort she put in. Her consistency, her willingness to show up early, and the pride she took in even simple things like handing out hot chocolate at HocCho stuck with me.
So I decided not to give up.
Over the next year, I worked on building my confidence, speaking up more, and getting involved in other areas of school. By the time the next election came around, I felt more prepared and more confident in myself. And this time, I was elected.
Getting in after failing the first time felt meaningful because I knew I’d earned it. My sister’s example motivated me to try again and taught me that leadership often begins with small actions, such as showing up, helping out, and caring about your community.