Discovering Successful Leadership
Grace J., Treasurer of our Bay Port High School Chapter, shares how her four years as a GlamourGals volunteer, including two years in leadership, have transformed her as a leader.
For the past four years, I’ve been a dedicated volunteer with Bay Port High School’s chapter of GlamourGals, and for the past two years, I've had the privilege of helping lead this incredible organization. When I first joined as a freshman, our chapter was small, with about 15 members, and we faced the challenge of the pandemic, which prevented us from visiting nursing homes in person. Despite these obstacles, we were determined to ensure our senior friends were not forgotten. Instead of spending my free time on social media or playing video games, I dedicated hours to creating cheerful cards for local nursing home residents. Knowing that these cards could bring joy, during such uncertain times, was immensely rewarding. Over the next three years, I made it a priority to participate in every card campaign, crafting at least five cards each time, no matter how busy my schedule became. When I joined the leadership team in 2022, I took on the additional responsibility of delivering these cards to nursing homes, ensuring our seniors felt remembered and cherished.
My involvement in GlamourGals has been transformative, helping me discover my potential as a leader. Initially, I never saw myself in a leadership role due to my extreme shyness. However, encouraged by a teacher, I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone. After two years as a volunteer, I applied for a leadership position and was welcomed to our board for the 2022-2023 school year, continuing into 2023-2024. Leading the chapter has taught me the importance of organization and collaboration. I played a crucial role in tracking attendance, volunteer participation, and organizing documents. This experience highlighted how essential proper organization is for success. Moreover, GlamourGals helped me find my voice. Overcoming my fear of public speaking has been especially impactful, as I plan to become an elementary school teacher. Now, I feel more confident than ever that this is my dream career.
Watching our chapter grow from 15 to over 120 volunteers has been an incredible experience. This growth reflects the kindness present in our community. Students willingly donate their limited free time to make cards, paint seniors’ nails, and engage in meaningful conversations. Their efforts are appreciated, as evidenced by the seniors who write back to us and eagerly anticipate our visits on the first Tuesday of each month.
