Alexandra Abboud, age 17

As a freshman at Vanguard High School I was presented with a staggering amount of new
opportunities. More than anything I knew I wanted to dedicate my time to serving the
community. One way of achieving my goal was to join the Pink Ladies Service Club. I was
quickly drawn into the club and became a dedicated member my freshman and sophomore years.
In my junior year I became the Secretary of the club. As a senior I am President of the Pink
Ladies.
Being President of the club has made me a stronger person because being in charge has given me
a whole new sense of obligation. I am accountable for a club with over 150 members and 18
officers. My duties are to make the members feel welcome, lead meetings, and demonstrate
volunteer qualities. At any activity in which we participate, I have to make sure all members are
present and are working. My job is to be a friend and a role model to all the girls in the club.
My responsibilities are more in depth than a lot of other positions. When the sponsor of the club
tells me specific things that have to be done, I must delegate the list of tasks to the other officers.
If one of the officers does not do their job, it is up to me to pick up their slack and complete it.
The task of writing the member and officer meeting agenda is also left up to me. My duties are to
organize all paperwork and monetary contributions. I also try to go above and beyond what is
asked of me.
The majority of my time is spent in the club room assisting the sponsor in various Pink Ladies
assignments. I participate in all of the various volunteer activities which includes: aid to the
homeless and needy, the September 11th Memorial Service, fundraisers benefiting the Spousal
Abuse Center, visits to the hospital on Christmas Eve, participating in various elementary school
events, and fundraisers for different charities and scholarships. Everything I have ever done in
the club has helped prepare me for college.
Last year as secretary I performed an astounding amount of community service hours. This year I
am expected to achieve almost double that amount. As Secretary, and this year as President, I
have helped the club maintain its number one status in the county. Being President is a learning
process for me. I am enhancing my communication and cooperation abilities. I am learning how
to be a superior leader who can convey her thoughts in a calm and well-organized manner. My
experience has taught me how to harness the different ideas from girls with diverse backgrounds,
and apply them to the fundamental workings of the club. I feel these attributes have enhanced my
leadership skills for the future. I believe that the lessons I have learned have helped prepare me
to be a stronger person and enabled me to multitask in college.