GRADE 9 ENGLISH

FIRST TERM | SY 2023-2024

Name: Morgan Chien Date: 9/7/23 FIRST DRAFT

Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow, Today

Imagine a world where leadership isn’t just a title merely thought of as being held by politicians
and CEOs, but a fundamental attribute taught and implemented as one of the core facets of their education
system. A world where our youth are not spectators of the world around them, but are instead active
participants in shaping their future and subsequently, our world as we know it. While leadership is a
largely subjective term, I firmly believe that Vender (2015)’s definition of leadership aligns with what I
and most people understand it to be: "a combination of position, responsibilities, attitude, skills, and
behaviors that allows someone to bring out the best in others, and the best in their organization." It would
seem that the emphasis on this definition of leadership is not fully realized in many schools, with many
schools often simply assuming that school leaders, irrespective of capacity, will discharge responsibilities
and initiatives assigned to them. Furthermore, programs to prepare and or support school leaders are
either lacking or ineffective (Nannyonjo, 2017). A study by YouthSense in 2017 showed that a majority of
today’s youth, known as “Gen Z”, describes their generation with words like “intelligent” or “go-getter”,
while the words “lazy” and “entitled” came when asked what they feel older generations perceive them
as. This contrast between generations has led to many of our youth to feel disengaged, as if their voice is
not heard by the generation above them. This has escalated to the point wherein most young people say
that their experiences in school feel irrelevant and offer few opportunities for agency and choice. It’s
through this great issue of the lack of youth empowerment that student leadership is a great way to
address this aspect of our community. Student leadership can serve as a way to empower students to lead,
encourage them to take part in more community initiatives, and to emphasize the importance of personal
growth even for students. Student leadership as a concept should be celebrated and emphasized
greatly to students from an early age due to its numerous benefits for both the students’, and our
future as a whole.

In a world where academics take precedence for many, we often overlook the importance of
youth empowerment in a student’s life. The empowerment of youth as a concept and movement is
fundamentally based on the idea that our youth, those belonging to the age range of 10-24 years old, are
capable of accomplishing incredible things. This is because they are more comfortable in trying new
things, taking more risks, and merely view failures as a step towards progress (Spiller, 2021). Youth
empowerment is important primarily because of how it directly impacts their future. By nurturing their
abilities and giving them the courage to believe in themselves, the foundation for long-term positive
social change is laid for their behavior in the future (Forgeard, 2023). It is through this that we need to
give them the push they need and cultivate their skills to discover the potential that will be incredibly
beneficial for both their personal and professional development. Giving them that push they need in order
to take control of the future and equipping them with the tools in order to make better-informed decisions
is of utmost importance, as these young individuals very much represent the future of our society as a
whole (Childhope Philippines, 2023). This is where student leadership comes in as a great solution as it
provides a chance for students to not only have a say in their own futures but to also realize their
importance in society. So, as we explore the impact of being a student leader, we shall unravel a powerful
way to redefine how students can learn and grow.

Student leadership brings numerous benefits to students as it equips them with essential life skills
such as effective communication and teamwork, as well as instilling a sense of responsibility and
accountability. As Innocent Robin has highlighted, “Too often, we deter leadership to later grades or even
to adulthood, and then ask people to be leaders, to make critical decisions when they have never
developed that skill” (2020). Leadership as a fundamental attribute and its subsequent skills such as
responsibility, critical thinking, perseverance, and courage amongst other things are traits that are
incredibly important as one reaches maturity and faces the real world. Therefore, it’s through this that
leadership as a foundational aspect of personal development should absolutely be instilled and nurtured
from an early age.

Richards (2022) of the Allstate Foundation has pointed out that in the short term, student
leadership results in them taking action within their communities. In the long term however, it greatly
contributes to them having satisfying careers and finding their place in the world faster, all the while
creating the level of impact the world needs. By encouraging students to embrace leadership opportunities
and be more of a leader themselves, we not only equip them with the essential tools needed to navigate
the world of adulthood but also foster a sense of agency and empowerment within them as well. Most
schools nowadays allow for a plethora of opportunities to further develop the leadership skills of the
students through leadership roles in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. From things such as
the student council and the various clubs operated by students, the avenues for student leadership
definitely aren’t lacking in abundance. For me personally, I found a way to cultivate my leadership skills
through extracurricular activities such as my school’s debate team and Model UN, as well as holding an
officer position within my class. These activities have allowed me to improve various skills such as
critical thinking, teamwork, public speaking, and advocating, among others. For the debate team and
Model UN, I was able to cultivate my critical thinking and public speaking skills and being a class officer
allowed me to improve my teamwork and communication skills through working with my peers. These
extracurricular activities all share a common theme of being an overall better leader in terms of being
headstrong yet collaborative in what I’m doing. Moreover, they have played a major role in exposing me
to real-world issues and global challenges, allowing me to dive deep into discussions on pressing matters;
thereby giving me a strong sense of agency and purpose in how my skills could be utilized to address
global issues. In conclusion, student leadership is a pathway to personal growth, community engagement,
and a brighter future. Through fostering leadership skills in our youth, we nurture responsible, resilient,
and confident young individuals who are prepared to tackle the challenges of the real world with a sense
of purpose and the determination to make a positive impact on those around them.

Youth empowerment is an integral component of educating our future generations, and it can be
effectively achieved through the promotion of student leadership. As mentioned earlier, youth
empowerment entails providing young individuals with opportunities to nurture their skills, make
informed decisions, and discover their potential. As a result, the various forms of student leadership that
one can partake in stand as definitive paths to foster this empowerment. Whether it’s running for a class
officer, participating in clubs aligned with personal interests, or simply taking an active role in the
classroom, there are numerous ways for students to become leaders in their own right, without necessarily
having to be voted into a leadership position. It’s also worth noting that student leadership extends beyond
the school environment. Engaging in community service, volunteering, and joining youth organizations
that align with one’s interests are also great ways to cultivate leadership skills and contribute to youth
empowerment.

In light of the great impact that partaking in student leadership can have on the development of
our youth and subsequently, our society, it is now more crucial than ever to champion this advocacy. As
parents, educators, mentors, and students, it is our shared responsibility to provide the support and
opportunities necessary for youth empowerment through student leadership, as well as taking part in the
cause ourselves. Together, we can bridge the generational gap and create a world where every individual,
especially the youth, is equipped with the skills and confidence to lead as well as their voices not just
simply heard but also celebrated. Let us take action today to create a future wherein leaders are not born,
but fostered and refined from a young age. By encouraging students to partake in various different
extracurricular activities and to embody leadership qualities, we are taking a significant step in this
journey. Let us, as a united community, rise to the occasion and empower the leaders of tomorrow, today.

References:

ChildHope Philippines. (2022, February 10). Childhope Philippines, on the Importance of Tapping the

Youth’s Potential to Empower our Future. ChildHope Philippines.

https://childhope.org.ph/importance-of-youth-empowerment/

Forgeard, V. (2023, June 29). The Vital Force of Tomorrow: What Is The Meaning Of Youth

Empowerment? Brilliantio. https://brilliantio.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-youth-empowerment/

Nannyonjo, H. (2017, August 7). Effective ways for developing school leadership. World Bank Blogs.

https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/effective-ways-developing-school-leadership
Richards, F. (2022, October 18). Leadership Begins With Student Interest And Empowerment (P. Lockett,

Interviewer). Forbes.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/phyllislockett/2022/10/18/leadership-begins-with-student-interest-a

nd-empowerment/?sh=548878296500

Robin, I. (2020, March 3). The Power of Youth Leadership and Why Its Vital for Our Community.

Newslibre. https://newslibre.com/community/the-power-of-youth-leadership/

Spiller, H. (2021, September 2). Why Is Youth Empowerment Important? Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2021/September/why-is-youth-empowerment-important

Vender R. J. (2015). Leadership: an overview. The American journal of gastroenterology, 110(3),

362–367. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2014.199

YouthSense. (2017, August 17). Where Does The Problem Of Youth Disengagement Stem

From?https://www.youthsense.com.au/youth-insights/problem-youth-disengagement-stem/