#2

"We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late." -Martin Luther King

This quote emphasizes the urgent need for leadership. We don't ever want to be too late. With oppression and discrimination looming in our global society, we need to step up to the plate and stand for what is right. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights, particularly those of African-Americans, however this sense of urgency can be applied to the needs of any underpriveleged group. This calling for leaders is what motivates me to improve my leadership skills with the STARS program.

Reading about the e-portfolios showed me how useful they can be. It is a great, organized way to single yourself out from a number of job applicants. Also, e-portfolios offer great reflection time because you can easily map out all your accomplishments; this can help you organize your goals as well.

For me, it's important that leaders serve others because most of the time they are in need of that help. Leaders are a great source of help because they are responsible and should always be willing to lend a helping hand. Leaders ofany particular subject are generally well-educated on that topic and have a strong passion and desire to guide others into a better life.


I am very passionate about the environment as well as other social issues. I care about our future and our surroundings. Being careless about the natural world will only harm future generations and as Martin Luther King Jr. said, "there is such a thing as being too late." Damaging the environment also damages us. Families are displaced by the buildings of dams where they used to live; meanwhile, others are sufferring from freshwater pollution and have no clean drinking water. I know I can make a difference about this; whether it be as small as motivating my friends to recycle or as big as changing environmental policy across the county.

#1

What interests me about the STARS lead program is how they encourage leadership in everybody. This program motivates each and every person to find their voice and lead with a purpose. I value this opportunity to improve my leading skills to a level where I can spread knowledge and awareness to others. I have a passion for the protection and advocacy of the environment, among other things. With the STARS lead program I can further develop this passion not by reading any more science books but by learning how to make a change in the world around me first.

The first meeting was new and exciting for me. I heard about all the upcoming events we could get involved in and I want to participate more! It was interesting to see how we came together as group; who spoke and who kept more to themselves. I hope to get to know everybody much better because everyone's opinion is important.

I believe that leadership is a quality that everybody has inside them. Everyone does it whether they notice it or not. You spread your influence to others in small, unintentional ways each day. By doing a good deed you might inspire another to do the same. Similarly, helping pass a law improving social inequities is an example of leadership that might move others to get involved as well. Being a leader doesn't require a set leadership role; you can strive to lead by setting a good example for others, by encouraging them to stand up for what is right, and by motivating awareness and action for the injustices of the world. By doing these things, you are truly demonstrating great leadership. All forms of leadership are valuable regardless of how many followers you have; rather it's what you stand for as a leader that counts. By the end of the lead program I hope to further develop what I stand for and then some