Chau Tran

"As my high school career comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the personal growth I’ve experienced over these past four years. I entered high school as a timid student, someone who had a simple plan: earn good grades and graduate. I didn’t see a need to stand out, I was content with blending in as a follower than a leader.

But that mindset changed quickly. During my freshman year, I met incredible, inspirational individuals who made a lasting impact on me. Their influence made me realize that I want to be a person who impacted others the way they impacted me: a game changer. I wanted to be a game changer in my community, to uplift and empower others the way I had been uplifted.

From that point on, everything I did, my actions, and my motives, were guided by the will to help others and uplift them. For me, being a student isn’t limited to nine months of academics; it’s a year-round commitment to growth, community, and impact.

Looking back, I see the moments during the summer when I helped shape what school clubs could look like for the year, where I worked to create spaces for students to feel included, motivated, and proud of who they are. Looking back now, I'm proud of the person that I was, for having the passion to do something great. I'm proud of the person I was, and the person I am now. 

Through my academic and social involvement, my greatest achievement has been connecting with the student body and using my voice to support and advocate for them. I remember an interview I had during the first semester, where I was asked: ""What needs to change in the world?"" Without hesitation, I said, ""More leadership.""

To me, leadership isn’t about holding a title. It’s about being compassionate, insightful, open-minded, and above all, educational. A true leader is always learning—but also teaching, inspiring, and creating space for others to lead as well. In every leadership role I’ve held, I’ve encouraged my peers to step into their leadership and to stand beside me—not behind me. Because leadership, when shared, becomes even more powerful."