Leadership is a challenging position to earn, an even more challenging position to maintain while being a full-time, high school student.

However, for many students this demanding role is an honor.

“It just means a lot that … people are able to believe what I say and that they follow what I do and hopefully set a good example for them,” said Ellie Beran, senior Student Council and National Honor Society president.

There are benefits to leadership.

“I kind of like having things in my control a little bit,” senior drumline captain Jared Hays said. “It feels good knowing that when things go smoothly, it’s because of me, and when problems arise, I’m the first person they look up to to fix those things. I like having that power and control, but in a leadership sense.”

This skill wasn’t immediately earned, though. They had to pick up what their previous leaders had taught them.

“When I first started Stuco, I didn’t think of myself as being the leader that everyone goes to for questions,” Beran said. “But I think I found myself naturally get into that position with the leadership skills I already learned from people surrounding me in Stuco throughout the years.”

Many leaders share a similar experience to Berans introduction to leadership.

“I remember my drum captains from my previous years, and they have characteristics and traits to them that I find admirable, and I’d like to be that person for those that are younger than me,” Hays said. “I want to kind of give them a person to look up to, even when I’m not there.” 

What many people fail to realize though, is what it takes to have a leadership role, while also being a student. 

“There’s a lot of behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t see,” Beran said. “Sometimes I don’t know how I do it… but, I set time to do specific things. When I get home, I don’t focus on STUCO, I focus on getting my homework done… and then when it is STUCO time, it’s STUCO time… I don’t try and multitask because I learned that it never really works for me.”

The question comes up, ‘Why do they do it if it takes so much?’ The answer is simple; the rewarding feeling that comes with being a leader outweighs the hardships. 

“Being a leader as a student is challenging because there’s a balance between having to focus on school, as well as helping others… so it’s hard…, but finding that balance is really an enriching experience because you get that skillset that will be necessary in the future,” junior HOSA president, Michelle Pham said.