Junior High ASB
I was introduced early on into the world of leadership through my role as one of the Activities Commissioners for Junior High ASB. Over the course of the school year, I successfully collaborated with my committee to produce events such as Bounce Back to School, Barnacle Buzz, Game Night, etc., Despite not having any prior involvement in event planning, I found that I loved creating ideas for events and fit quite well into the dynamic, frenzied, and fun leadership environment.
I thoroughly enjoyed planning events with my fellow committee members, looking forward to days where I would interact with different committees and even High School ASB on rare occasions. Junior High ASB was a solid introduction into both the world of ASB that I would soon inhabit as well as the weight of a real responsibility.
ASB Senate
Following Junior High ASB, I was hungry for ways I could further my involvement in school government and improvement. ASB Senate was a standout opportunity due to its unique position as a sort of pseudo-ASB, allowing me to practice the same skills of event planning and team collaboration while challenging myself with taking initiative into my own hands due to the lack of individual roles.
Throughout ASB Senate, I assisted with the production of events such as the 2023 Talent Show and Halloween Costume Contest, where I helped set up the physical stages for each event in beforehand and assisted with the general operation of each event. I also helped make posters and other promotional items/decorations for each event.
ASB Senate was a more casual return to the familiar world of ASB, yet ultimately gave me the confidence necessary to insert my own presence as a leader and strike through as a promising candidate for future leadership endeavors.
High School ASB
High School ASB was, in part, a large departure from the low-stakes years of JH ASB and ASB Senate. Even before the start of the school year, all ASB members attended a short summer camp hosted by Cal Poly Pomona, sleeping in dorm rooms and attending daily leadership sessions to engage a sense of unity and friendship to start the school year off with a bang.
As the Fundraising Commissioner, I was tasked with organizing all major fundraisers for the school year, including a Back to School Boba Fundraiser, tailgates for the WOW Games (an annual cross-school sports event), an Auntie Anne’s pretzel fundraiser (my first truly independently led event), etc., Over the course of these events, I ended up raising thousands of dollars through both my solo and collaborative initiatives with other committees, in particular the Athletic Committee. My duties also covered asking local stores and restaurants for donations including donuts, gift cards, and even pastry items to supply for staff welcoming events.
As someone who had never run a fundraiser before, being in ASB was truly a “sprint for the finish line” even before the beginning of the year. This fast paced schedule of events helped me to become familiar with my duties and the people I shared them with over a short amount of time, with frequent leadership activities and shared roles on shifts immersing me deeply into the connected and unified ASB community. I truly felt I was home among like minded individuals who sought to create successful event after event. I remember my time in ASB fondly as a major period of both personal and professional growth.
