Exhibit: Formation of the GSA Benchmark: Personal Management Skills: P109: Recognize a need or opportunity and take appropriate

action

During the beginning of this school year, I recognized a need/opportunity and took appropriate action when I founded the HHHS GSA. I realized that this school needed to me more inclusive, and support needed to be given to students in need. I also realized that I was in the position to make this happen. Therefore, I recognized an opportunity to make a positive change in the school and took appropriate action by forming the GSA. Forming the GSA has helped me to display this skill immensely. I recognized the right of every student to support, kindness and respect regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Therefore, I recognized the opportunity to form a group which would encourage all students to unite in support of tolerance, respect, love and acceptance, and I took appropriate action by forming the inclusive GSA. This action has served to help both myself and others in many ways. It has helped me to display leadership, and others to feel more comfortable within the school. Recognizing a need and taking appropriate action is important because far too often in this world, we see opportunities and needs, and things that should be done, but fail to take the initiative to do them, which, if done, would often serve to better the world. It is especially important in my career pathway as an effective and good public servant should always strive to be a problem-solver, which is what this skill creates. This skill is important now, and also in my future as an independent adult and as an elected official, because it is the mark of a truly forward-thinking, motivated person to recognize a need and to take appropriate action.