In my Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC), we have a saying that goes, "leave things better than you found them." For me, this saying has a couple of different interpretations; there is a literal meaning, but I find a deeper meaning within the quote. To leave things better than you found them is to improve something even if it is by only 1%. To leave something better is to make your mark. To leave something better is to make a deliberate choice. I believe the smallest bit of help can make a world of difference and this is why I "leave things better than [I] found them,". The first time I volunteered at a city event was the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Hot Chili Cool Cars when I was only a freshman and the 11 hours I spent volunteering consisted of me and my Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) team directing show cars, emergency vehicles, and staff members in charge of various booths and tables. This was my first time interacting with people outside of campus. Nevertheless, my ability to coordinate and communicate with people was tested as I had to sometimes direct people away and work with the other volunteers. Having this experience, with both nervous and joyful moments, I felt connected to the community I live in. Since then, I've made sure to volunteer for as many opportunities as I can; some were staffing for an elementary school's fall fair while others were helping a veteran's organization set up for a Christmas party. Regardless of the scale of the event, I felt the same joy from helping the people who support the community and my school. Flash forward to my senior year and rather than volunteering on a team, I was one of the main senior leadership cadets leading the entire JROTC volunteer force. I was the Group Commander with over 40 cadets and 5 teams. This volunteer experience was way different though. Instead of simply doing as told, there was a considerable amount of planning that had to be done. The JROTC leadership and I worked 4-6 hours for 3 weeks before the event. I coordinated with the JROTC volunteers and members of the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce to draft a plan for a successful event. We assigned tasks for our teams, developed an 11-hour schedule that included breaks and meals, and supplied all the necessary equipment. We were the main volunteering force for the city and it was a whole new way of volunteering. This made me realize that no matter what I am doing, big or small, planning or executing, cleaning or setting up, I am helping. I am making a difference in both the community and myself, even if it is just a drop. This is why I love helping my community in any way I can.

Just as structures require stable and sound foundations and trees require their mighty roots, I believe students, cadets, and teenagers alike need an instrument of the same nature. The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is that instrument and, when used to its full potential, can make symphonies of change in a cadet. JROTC has laid the groundwork for me to grow into a better United States citizen by providing me with a catalyst to heighten my confidence, values, and sense of self; it is these things that make me confident that I will serve my nation proud. The Whitney High School's CA-954 is a rigorous corps that requires cadets to step out of their comfort zone and enter a foreign world; it is this push into unknown territory that has developed my confidence. When push comes to shove, it is human nature to adapt. This is exactly what I did. I have applied myself to positions in the corps such as the Promotion and Decorations Officer. I facilitated the creation, submission, and review of cadets in the corps’ awards and decoration letters, a task that required great attention to detail to ensure an exceptional outcome. I have proven to myself through my success that I can accomplish more than I initially thought, even if it was difficult and I made mistakes. This realization came with the advantage of a newfound confidence in myself and my abilities. The corps set the stage for me and provided a safe space where I can trip, fall, and fail until I have assuredly developed my proficiency in any position I may assume. JROTC has helped me to evolve my values and moral compass for the better through daily reinforcement within the class. As in the United States Air Force, Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) follows three core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. It is because of these values that I put effort into, as we say in the CA-954, “leaving places better than we found them.” It is a simple motto to abide by, however, the effort it takes to integrate the core values into daily life is not something so easily achieved. The continuous enforcement of these values for the past three and half years has had considerable effects on my lifestyle and as a result, I felt more inclined to do all I can, even when I knew for a fact that I would not be rewarded or recognized. I believe there is still more to absorb from the core values and from the structure the JROTC provides for my principles, and I can say that the military structure has set my compass North and all that remains is to continue forward. Before joining JROTC, I had very little confidence in myself and my ability to lead decisively. I was quiet in class and followed the herd, but upon experiencing JROTC firsthand I can proudly say that I have changed. My voice developed through my experience as the Squadron First Sergeant and now Group Commander. My sense of self now burns bright as I lead and my ambitions are now set ablaze. JROTC highlighted what I am capable of and increased the capacity of my abilities through day-after-day structure and discipline. The program aligned my values, set my moral compass, and provided me with the building blocks, connections, and environment to build my character. I believe that by continuing with ROTC and eventually serving in the military, I will be able to grow and further help my community and nation.

As I am writing this essay, I am worried about whether I will pass and get the scholarship, completely mess up my point hence the essay, and a load of other thoughts that have no good impact on my mental health. Moreover, with Finals Week around the corner, these worries are simply abundant. To combat these needless stressors I live by a saying from my world history teacher, "...in life, things fall into two categories the things you can control with your own efforts and the things you cannot." This single sentence can be rephrased in a number of ways, but the essence of the sentence remains; you cannot control the things out of your hand. "Out of sight, out of mind," "do your part," "the only factor you can change is yourself," if one thing can be taken out of any of these three quotes it is that you can only control yourself. Once you do your part, you relinquish control as a track runner passes the baton to the next runner. We can hope, we can worry, we can stress over whether the next runner will bring home the gold but in the end so long as you did your best, no matter the result, nothing changes your efforts. The only remaining variable is the next runner, the grader, the interviewer, the judge, the factors that you cannot touch; so, if you have done your role to the best of your abilities and can truly do no more, then why needlessly stress? Peace of mind is not something that is not so easily obtained when the stakes are high, so to be able to tuck away a worry if even one, I call that a win.