Another scholarship question...

[pixiedustaholic]

DD is a junior this year so we have started looking into scholarship opportunities for her. There are several that she can qualify for but the one thing that keeps coming up on the requirements that she is lacking is leadership experience in the school and/or community. I was hoping you all could suggest some ways that she can start building on this. I know there are obvious choices such as student council, being elected as an officer in clubs at school, etc. The only issue with that would be that most of those are voted on by students and are a lot of times just a popularity contest. She is involved with a few organizations at school such as National Honor Society, Drama, Cheerleading, etc. One thing I have suggested is to try to get the Stage Manager position for the next school play. In case that doesn't work out, do you all have any other ideas? Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Marionnette]

DD is a junior this year so we have started looking into scholarship opportunities for her. There are several that she can qualify for but the one thing that keeps coming up on the requirements that she is lacking is leadership experience in the school and/or community. I was hoping you all could suggest some ways that she can start building on this. I know there are obvious choices such as student council, being elected as an officer in clubs at school, etc. The only issue with that would be that most of those are voted on by students and are a lot of times just a popularity contest. She is involved with a few organizations at school such as National Honor Society, Drama, Cheerleading, etc. One thing I have suggested is to try to get the Stage Manager position for the next school play. In case that doesn't work out, do you all have any other ideas? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Suggest to her that volunteering to head up committees within her organizations is a good way to show leadership skills. Not everyone can be be the student council president or the team captain. But every committee needs a chairman.

 

[Southernmiss]

DD is a junior this year so we have started looking into scholarship opportunities for her. There are several that she can qualify for but the one thing that keeps coming up on the requirements that she is lacking is leadership experience in the school and/or community. I was hoping you all could suggest some ways that she can start building on this. I know there are obvious choices such as student council, being elected as an officer in clubs at school, etc. The only issue with that would be that most of those are voted on by students and are a lot of times just a popularity contest. She is involved with a few organizations at school such as National Honor Society, Drama, Cheerleading, etc. One thing I have suggested is to try to get the Stage Manager position for the next school play. In case that doesn't work out, do you all have any other ideas? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Is she involved outside of school? Scouts, church other volunteering? My kids are also soccer referees to a children's rec league and do a lot through our church.

There are so many places to volunteer in our area soup kitchen, salvation army, making baskets of goodies for children in the hospital, vacation bible school, summer camp, etc. Taking the initiative to seek these out herself shows great leadership.

 

[danygirl]

my youngest was awarded a $140,000 leadership scholarship this year, so I have some insight. plus my middle child also won a leadership scholarship for $20,000.

My middle daughter was the lead in the school plays, she was the capt of the color guard, a swim team captain and the president of the chorus. so her leadership was all "being the boss" - she also taught swimming

The younger one was captain of the swim team for two years and vice president of the chorus. Her main leadership was in the community - she coaches two different swim teams, teaches swim lessons and does more stuff along those lines. When she went for one of the interviews for her scholarship she was required to bring things that demonstrated her leadership. She brought some awards, but she also brought pictures of her teams she coaches, and pictures of her interacting with the kids (encouraging them, high fiving them, cheering with them) - which I thought was good. we hosted some exchange students, and she brought a gift they gave her. She is in NHS and had organized a food drive, so she brought in the flyer from that.

My brother mowed lawns in high school and sometimes he subbed out a lawn to another kid when he had too many at the same time. this business was his leadership, and he was the only one from his high school to be accepted at his college, and lots of kids applied. He also formed a club with 4 friends and they were each officers lol

I think there are a ton of ways to be a leader, you don't have to be elected to an office to be a leader

 

[jenlynn0808]

It can be leadership within something, not just a leader. My daughter (only a Soph), plays on a select fast pitch team. There are no set captains, they just rotate the girls out who go with the coaches to see the Ump before the games starts. However, she is considered "leaderish" on the team. She's a catcher, so she pretty much runs the field calling pitches and plays. She is one of 4 girls on the team that the rest of the girls look to when they run through their warm up routine. She is also the 'go to girl' for her teammates when they want to bring something up to the coaches or trainers, but are afraid to do it themselves. She is also one of the few girls on the team that the trainers and coaches go to ( for team moral input, fundraising coordinators, helped with younger teams, etc.). So while she isn't a Captain, she does display leadership skills within the team/organization.

 

[skipper2]

DD formed a school group that met once a week and raised/donated money and supplies for various local organizations - women's shelter, food bank, toys for tots, etc. Because it started out small there were plenty of "titles" for everyone. Now years later, the group is much larger and continues to be very active in the the community. A different member is in charge of each scheduled project or volunteer area so there is plenty of leadership opportunity for everyone.

 

[zoemurr]

Have her form her own group.. not something that she has to be elected.

My Dd has done this for girl scouts.. but she set up an organization that collects gently used books from families in the suburbs and finds appropriate groups in the city to donate them to. She is also working on a summer reading program to run at one of the centers.

She found out that the local cooking for kids class was cancelled. She had 4 younger neighborhood girls over for a week 3 summers in a row and cooked and did crafts with them.

She volunteers once a month with a younger GS troop and 4-5 times a month at various library and town run programs. She also writes book reviews for young children and they are posted in the local children's room.

I'm sure colleges know which positions are popularity contests and are more impressed when the child goes out and forges their own path. Good luck! DD is a sophomore so we are right behind you.

 

[HM]

Is your DD already involved in theater? In our school, the Stage Manager is someone from the upper Technical Theater class (my DD did three plays/musicals as Stage Manager at her school). And you work your way up to that responsibility from other Tech positions.

I agree that if you DD can start her own club at school (find a teacher sponsor) that would be the best route? Do they have a recycling/environmental club?

 

[crisi]

Is your DD already involved in theater? In our school, the Stage Manager is someone from the upper Technical Theater class (my DD did three plays/musicals as Stage Manager at her school). And you work your way up to that responsibility from other Tech positions.

I agree that if you DD can start her own club at school (find a teacher sponsor) that would be the best route? Do they have a recycling/environmental club?

That's likely to be an issue - a lot of traditional leadership roles are one you take on because you've worked into a position of leadership. At least around here, with Girl Scouts the leadership progression starts in sixth grade - girls coming to us wanting to be assistant counselers at camp when they are in high school haven't had the training - and missed it - it isn't really available for their age group. For Juniors in High School many leadership roles (Stage Managing, Captaining a team, Student Council) are competitive - a lot of kids are looking for leadership on their college scholarship applications.

How about teaching Sunday School? Tutoring after school care. Volunteering at the nature center. You might have better opportunities outside of school. Other club ideas for inside school - a gaming group (board games), Relay for Life if your school doesn't have it (really big here), a book club?

 

[Sadie22]

This is really something that ideally would start by middle school and continue throughout high school into college. Volunteerism and leadership count for the college admission process as well as for various scholarship opportunities.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Have your child join Key-Club ($15 per year per child).
2) That is the high school version of Kiwanis.
3) Even without being an officer, she will get lots of management experience in civic projects.


NOTE:
. . . We have 51 kids in our local Key Club.
. . . Obviously, they all cannot be officers or club leaders.
. . . But, all have program or project leadership experience.
. . . 22 are planning upon college.
. . . 17 have already received scholarships from $25,000-$80,000.

 

[4shinystars]

I don't want to dash any hopes, but scholarship and admission committees look at how long a student has been involved in an activity, not just what the activity was, and can see through the "just joined to look good on an application in 11th and 12th grades". Being on a committee has shown this to be true.
Also in my area, stage manager is as hard to get as the lead in the play, and those students have been doing backstage for years. Your best bet is to join Key Club, as others have said, and get involved in community groups/events, such as Reality Check, Relay For Life, Veterans and senior groups, etc.
Leadership isn't always being the named head of a group, it is taking the initiative in something, like offering to tutor younger students, mentoring in a Girl/Boy scout troop, assisting in your religious organization.
Older DD was involved in community and school organizations all through her school years, and did get a number of scholarships due to that. Younger DD is currently working on 8 essays for scholarships, and hopefully will get a couple due to her service to school and community for the past 7 years.
Good luck!

 

[pixiedustaholic]

OP here: Thank you all for the suggestions. She has actually been participating in Drama or Theatre throughout high school both on stage and behind the scenes. That is why I have suggested the Stage Manager position. I obviously realize that the couldn't just jump right in to the SM position if she didn't have any theatre experience.

 

[KelliLee702]

The American Cancer Society holds Relay "walks" around the country this time of year. The Relay for Life usually holds these events at local high schools. Go on-line to find an event in your area. Tell her to organize a Team and become the Team Captain. She can organize activities to raise funds for the walk and then her team can participate/walk on the day of the event. She can do this at least twice before she graduates. My Girl Scouts have been Relaying for 6 years now. Its a great cause that is widely recognized. It will not take up too much of her time if she is creative and organized.

 

[HM]

OP here: Thank you all for the suggestions. She has actually been participating in Drama or Theatre throughout high school both on stage and behind the scenes. That is why I have suggested the Stage Manager position. I obviously realize that the couldn't just jump right in to the SM position if she didn't have any theatre experience.

That's good then. She needs to let the Tech teacher know that she's VERY interested in managing the next production. It will take a lot of her time, so hopefully she has lot of free afternoons and evenings for the two months or so before the play/musical.

 

[crisi]

OP here: Thank you all for the suggestions. She has actually been participating in Drama or Theatre throughout high school both on stage and behind the scenes. That is why I have suggested the Stage Manager position. I obviously realize that the couldn't just jump right in to the SM position if she didn't have any theatre experience.

When I was a senior in high school I did an internship as "assistant director" at the local community theatre. There wasn't a lot of leadership (I gophered, stood in for people when they missed rehearsal, and ran sound during the run) but it was a resume builder - and community theatres are often looking for help on the tech end side.

That year I also ran an elementary school class in theatre for gifted and talented kids - we did a short play.

 

[MrsPete]

Suggest to her that volunteering to head up committees within her organizations is a good way to show leadership skills. Not everyone can be be the student council president or the team captain. But every committee needs a chairman.

Excellent advice. I'd add this: Can she volunteer as a tutor, either at her own school or at an elementary school?

Ideally she'd have a multi-year leadership position to describe for scholarship committees, but this is a pretty good "save".

It can be leadership within something, not just a leader. My daughter (only a Soph), plays on a select fast pitch team. There are no set captains, they just rotate the girls out who go with the coaches to see the Ump before the games starts. However, she is considered "leaderish" on the team.

Yes, sometimes writing up a "leaderish" experience can work well.

This is really something that ideally would start by middle school and continue throughout high school into college. Volunteerism and leadership count for the college admission process as well as for various scholarship opportunities.

You're not wrong -- but it's too late for this girl to go back and re-live those opportunities. She probably won't be able to compete with the kids who have identical grades AND those multi-year leadership positions, but doing something is better than nothing at this point.

Incidentally, she'll be in good company: Every year I see LOTS of students with stellar grades, but they lack the leadership positions that show depth of involvement. She won't be alone, and while this is a handicap in scholarship applications, it isn't the kiss of death.

 

[kymom99]

My son voluneered this week, spring break, at our county extension office in the 4H program. They held a daycamp for school aged kids. He is in 9th grade and wants to be a JC at camp this summer. Apparently it is a competative position, even though he is volunteering, because he has to interview for the JC position today. I told him, even though he wants to do it, it will also look great on a resume or application.

 

[3boymthr]

If she is looking for leadership opportunities, Venturing may be a good opportunity. The Co-ed branch of Boy Scouts that gets kind of forgotten. There are many leadership opportunities, and it's certainly not too late to join as the program is for "kids" ages 14 - 21. We have a number of boys in the kids boy scout troop that joined at age 16 or so. Our local crew is about 50% girls.

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Venturing_Portal

 

[teller80]

If she is looking for leadership opportunities, Venturing may be a good opportunity. The Co-ed branch of Boy Scouts that gets kind of forgotten. There are many leadership opportunities, and it's certainly not too late to join as the program is for "kids" ages 14 - 21. We have a number of boys in the kids boy scout troop that joined at age 16 or so. Our local crew is about 50% girls.

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Venturing_Portal

lol - Around here we refer to Venturing as "Boy Scouts dirty little secret". They don't promote it AT ALL, and last summer it was like they reluctantly let them go to Jambo. But I agree, it is a great place for leadership and volunteer opportunities.

I'd say our crew is about 70% girls.