Ellen Hwang, Sunny Hills High School, 10th grade
“No friendship is an accident,” mentioned American writer O. Henry. In other words, the people we encounter in life always serve a purpose, whether it be a lesson learned or an eternal companion who can be trusted with any secret. Similarly, creating new bonds with other peers in my community allowed me to optimize my best self and live a more fulfilling life.
One memorable moment that pushed me to become a more approachable and compassionate leader was when I conversed with the homeless – about daily life and other trivial aspects of life – during one of PAVA World’s Midnight Mission shifts, where I distributed warm and comforting pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs, crispy browned bacon, and a variety of grapes and pineapples to the needy people of Los Angeles. I was placed in a separate section from serving food, where the line to grab a tray of the day’s servings was not as long as the main lunchroom’s winding lane of starving people, which enabled me to exchange a few greetings and some words of discussion.
Holding brisk but thoughtful conversations with the passing men and women who all possessed their own unique circumstances and diverse backgrounds made me realize the vast amount of privileges I was able to enjoy without worry or care: sleeping under a roof and eating home-cooked meals whenever I wanted.
The short-lived but everlasting bonds that I formed with each person I interacted with that day ultimately curated my desire to give back to my community by becoming a dependable leader who others could remember as a compassionate companion.
In order to achieve my goal, I started becoming more active in a variety of school clubs, spreading inclusivity while working in groups during class periods, and participating in PAVA Leadership Conferences to gain more insight into the qualities of an outstanding leader. Not only was I able to gain a clear understanding of what it means to be an impactful person to the people around me, but I also gained a close group of friends who support each other every step of our journeys.
I felt like a new person, shedding my skin filled with timid thoughts and fears of rejection and instead spreading positivity throughout from the corner of my head to the tips of my toes and fingertips. Besides me, ambition, inspiration, and newfound courage are some of the many reinforcements my family, friends, and teachers provide me with every day.
Overall, my relationships have helped me advance toward my goal of becoming a charitable leader by supplying me with a phenomenal amount of support and advice throughout my trek of life. While I am still not completely finished achieving my goal, I am significantly closer to achieving it than ever before, thanks to my lovely family and friends.
