Sometimes you can’t always be the leader. During my 8th grade class trip to Windsor Mountain, I learned this the hard way. I found this out by doing a team building activities. The activity was that our advisor had to cross between four platforms with nothing but to wooden planks that couldn’t reach a platform by themselves. I started off the challenge by being the leader and directing my entire advisor. This was weird for me because I thought during one of these challenges, I would be a follower, but it turns out that I took the lead. This turned out to be problematic. I was being too loud with my ideas, and pushing them in people’s throats. This drowned out anyone else’s ideas, which just left the group with a lot of bad ideas, by me. The counselors saw this, and didn’t allow me to talk, which would help the group succeed in the goal of crossing the platforms. When I was not talking, the group was getting more done. This made me realize that I don’t, and can’t always be the leader. This showed me how you sometimes have to be a follower.

        Fenn is so much different than other communities. One other experience that showed me this at Windsor Mountain was the campfire on the first day. After a long bus ride, and activities, everyone at the camp gathered around a campfire. After the sun set, it was cold, and everyone was trying to be as close to the campfire, so they could warm up. My advisor, Fitz, played some songs, and so did some counselors. Some people told stories, and some showed drawings. This campfire was really special for me. Normally in a school the community isn’t so great as ours. It’s really special that someone can go up in front of their grade, and show off their passions and not get ridiculed. This campfire was really special to me and showed me how lucky I am to go to such a great school like Fenn—a place different than other schools.

        A single experience can change someone’s life. Go look for yours.