Ms. Ho, Director of College Counseling
Just last week, Samantha ’26, Venia ’26, and Katelyn ’26 stopped by to visit. They talked excitedly about their summers and friends who’ve already started college. Halfway through our hangout, one of them shrieked and said, “Sam!! Your video just dropped on the PacBay Instagram!!” We all stopped to watch it. Sam shared about how volleyball at PacBay helped her build her confidence and leadership skills, and how leadership truly comes down to caring about the community you’re serving.
For those of you who weren’t here last year, Sam was our Student Council President. It’s interesting to think about someone like Sam needing to build her confidence and leadership skills because it looks like she always had them. Sometimes I talk to students about stepping up in leadership roles, and they hesitate because it intimidates them. If that sounds like you, I would encourage you to look to Sam as an example. Her journey started with a love of volleyball, which transformed into a love for her team, which then became love for the school that helped shape her. It may be hard to believe, but leadership isn’t actually about you, it’s about serving a community you already love.
If you think it’s about you or your gifts or your limitations, I would encourage you to look at the example of Moses. Moses said to God, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” – and look how God used him! He only (*sarcasm*) parted the Red Sea, led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, and guided his people through 40 years in the wilderness.
It is oftentimes humility and empathy that make the best leaders. We see it in the Bible (like Moses), but we also see it in our everyday lives (like Sam Lin). Contrary to popular thought, leadership isn’t actually something you’re born with…it’s something that is born out of love.
