Engagement Through Connection

Being a member of the Sterling Heights High School National Honor Society has allowed me to combine academic achievement with leadership and service.

I later took on the position of Senior Service Officer, where I became more involved in encouraging students to serve their school and community. NHS has shown me that service does not always have to involve a huge project; small acts of kindness and giving extra effort can have an impact as well.

Through this organization, I have strengthened my communication, organization, and leadership skills while learning the importance of using my accomplishments to help others rather than only myself.

Serving as a member of Link Crew and the SHHS Freshman Mentor Program has given me the opportunity to help younger students adjust to high school. Starting high school can be intimidating, so I try to be someone freshmen can approach when they have questions, need advice, or simply need encouragement.

Being a mentor has strengthened my communication skills and taught me how important it is to make people feel included and supported. The experience has also helped me grow as a leader because I have learned that leadership is often about listening, being patient, and helping someone else become more confident.

Working at Chipotle and Taco Bell has taught me much more than customer service and how to work in a fast-paced environment. While I have developed skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and responsibility, one of the most meaningful parts of these jobs has been the strong bonds I have created with my coworkers.

Spending long shifts together, helping one another during busy periods, and learning how to depend on each other has allowed me to build friendships and become a stronger team member. At Chipotle, becoming a certified trainer also gave me the opportunity to help newer employees adjust and feel comfortable.

My hazard prevention experience comes from helping maintain safe and clean outdoor spaces by shoveling snow during the winter and cutting grass during the warmer months.

These tasks may seem simple, but they have taught me responsibility, consistency, and the importance of paying attention to the environment around me. Shoveling snow helps reduce the risk of people slipping or falling, while keeping grass and outdoor areas maintained helps create a cleaner and safer space.

Through this work, I have learned that preventing hazards often starts with taking initiative and completing small responsibilities before they become larger problems.