Isela Gonzalez - Personal Statement Questions

Personal Insight Questions
1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced
others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
I’ve gained a lot of leadership skills through sports and ffa but that doesn't compare to
helping a student that cannot speak English. I was in my sixth grade english class and a new
student had shown up but he cannot speak english at all. So my teacher had asked if anyone
would like to tutor him or help him get around in school and speak spanish. I volunteered to help
because I put myself in his shoes and felt scared that I cannot speak a language that the
country cannot speak. So I helped him out and decided to help him speak English as well. He
helped me find some of those leadership skills that others can't find.
Being able to teach a student is hard because you need to have patience and you need
to understand what students are asking. This leadership skill positively influenced me in a
mental and vocal way because I had to be patient and I had to ask questions and understand
what he's going through. It was hard when he had to go because I felt that part of my leadership
was gone but I noticed that I can involve it with sports or ffa. This led me to a positive way of
leadership while leading my basketball teams to wins or even losses as long as we understand
the concept of winning and losing. This leadership skill helped me understand different concepts
I didn't understand before. I actually caught up with that student I helped this year and his
English has improved a lot and we got to talk about how we've both been and I realized that I
helped in a way I never thought I would. This leadership skill made me realize the importance of
helping.
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill ? How have you developed and
demonstrated that talent over time ?
My greatest talent is independence due to me trying to make friends and teammates
over the years you really won't know who to trust but yourself. Not many people can be
independent but that's what I like to do. I like to depend on myself and not on others. I focus on
my self value and self esteem. I want to be able to achieve all my goals by myself because I don't
want to rely on anyone financially, emotionally, and socially. I’ve developed this skill/ talent
overtime by trying to do my own work and not get into any relationships. I bring relationships in
because many people/ my classmates are depending on others which is bad but it's hard and
some people get mentally drained from it and can lead to many terrible things. I like to depend
on myself and not have to depend on a significant other.
To me being in a relationship requires time and many other things. I just try to push those
things aside and set boundaries for myself so I can succeed in life. I’ve learned that from my
grandmother due to her always needing someone to be with.I’ve asked her if she can be an
independent person and she told me that's one of the hardest challenges she's faced
throughout her life ever since high school. That’s what made me realize that I don’t want to
depend on anyone throughout high school or college. That is what led me to being independent
and just trying to succeed in life. I consider independence a skill because not many people can
be independent. I personally know many people who aren’t independent and they aren't as
successful in life. I’ve considered myself independent because I try not to rely on others. Relying
on others won’t help you succeed and I was to succeed and this is why I consider independence
a talent.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to
overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement ?
The most significant challenge that I’ve faced in my life is losing my grandfather. It was
really hard to keep going in school because he lived with me and my family. He passed during
the first week of school of my junior year. It was a rough start for school for me. I just wanted to be
alone but I still tried to face the fact that I had to go to school and make new friends. He just was
the one that emotionally helped me through hard times. But I had to keep going with school and
just get to know my teachers. I had a rough time doing that because I felt lonely and I wasnt my
usual self. The real question is how did I get through this. I had to say goodbye to him and let him
rest. This led to me hanging out with more friends and getting to know more about my teachers
and it required a lot of emotional support from my parents and friends.
This challenge affected me academically because I just stopped doing work and
stopped communicating with my teachers about work or any assignments. My teachers started
to notice and even my basketball coach. They helped me catch up and dig myself out of that
whole, it was hard but I got through it slowly. It wasn't easy. It required phone calls to my parents
so they could push me to keep going. I just needed to keep going mentally and I’m very lucky
that I had a very supportive family, friends, teachers, and coach. I was able to keep going and
finish strong mentally. I thought of how many people lost their loved ones and noticed I’m not the
only one so I tried to finish strong this year.

Isela Gonzalez - Personal Statement Questions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Isela Gonzalez - Personal Statement Questions

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Isela Gonzalez - Personal Statement Questions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Personal Insight Questions

My greatest talent is independence due to me trying to make friends and teammates

on myself and not have to depend on a significant other.

and it required a lot of emotional support from my parents and friends.

only one so I tried to finish strong this year.

You might also like