As of 2018, I am Administration Officer in the only NJROTC unit in Maine, and I am a Lieutenant Junior Grade. In the unit, we volunteer, supply color guards, we go to fun trips, and we participate in drill meets. I really like the program because of the drill and it is not only fun but shows how good leaders have to start out somewhere and that everyone is the same deep down underneath it all. When I first started I wanted to be apart of the drill team really badly, but since I do competition swim and it was right after and my parents worked I couldn't do it. Until I was informed I could be on the PT(physical training) team. I was very excited and was all set to go for the first meet ( well all except my sneakers which I was so excited I forgot to pack but thankfully my mom had a pair in the car) but on the bus and when I got there I wasn't very thought of as part of the team. Since I was only apart of one of the side teams it was only until the last meet when out of 9 units in the northern area 4 area our unit got 3rd place was I considered to be apart of the team. After that, I was more welcomed then before. Then I became Training Officer(which is really a yeoman). This meant I helped the other cadets rank up and when doing so I got to see some of their sides to things in the unit and also part of the officer side to things( and subordinates). Now that I am Admin. Officer, I want to make the cadets voices and thoughts that might not be looked at heard and something is done about it. I want to close the gap between the officers and ns1s so that the issues can be solved instead of looked over. I hope that i will be able to do that this year.
This card was started by a student of mine with an incredible heart, looking forward to seeing where it goes!
After having a great weekend at MYL I heard the story of how this was started and I wanted to be apart of it. MYL changed my life by teaching me how to be a good leader and I met many friends there. I am sad that it is over, but I will try and go back next year!
My best friend Chris was in the hospital, he asked me to to his house & get his bible. I brought it back for him & later that night he passed away. The next day My daughter got into our truck & asked why is this card on the floorboard? I said what card? What are you talking about? She gave me the card. I said that must have fallen out of Chris's bible. I googled the meaning of the 7of hearts card & found this sight. I believe Chris wanted me to have this & know what it stands for. What This card represents helps me daily. I miss my friend so much, my heart will forever be broken. When I see this card my soul smiles & i think of the good times with him. It also reminds me of what a wonderful giving person he was.
I spent three and a half days at a program called Maine Youth Leadership (MYL) in Gorham, Maine. It has been one of the greatest things to ever happen to me. MYL gave me the courage and resources to become a leader. I have found a second family in MYL, one that I hope to always keep in my heart.