I got to attend both Lakeview and Mo Ranch this year and got to be a JC at both camps. I honestly have to say it was the single most significant learning experience of my life. What people might not know about me is that I am incredibly shy and do not like being on stage and center of attention. Being a state officer has forced me to become a better person in more ways than I expected. When I decided I wanted to run for State Office it was solely based on pure excitement from my first state conference. But as time went on I realized that as a state officer, I would have an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity to simply better my self in many ways. But what I have learned is that I cannot do this alone. If it wasnt for the amazing members of TASC, none of this would even be imaginable. The people i have met over my 7 years in student council are the reason why I am the way i am today. Student Council opened up and accepted me as i was and has transformed me.
Ive never been the "popular type" kid. Or at least i dont consider myself that type. My mother often reminds me of my years in elementary when i came home crying because i didnt have any friends. It wasnt until the 6th grade when i joined student council. That was when my life turned around.
Now that I am a senior, I am starting to look back on my 13 years of being in school and how ill be remembered. How i see the role of being Student Body President is apparently different than anyone who came before me at LCM High School. I used my office to listen to students and their issues, teachers and their issues, and I have created and implemented solutions for those problems. Students are using their voices at school now. Standing up for what they believe in. Something i always dreamed happening.
Starting off as a freshmen i did not even want to be in student council. I was tired of it. But something pulled me back in. Im glad. Ive gone from a little kid with no friends, to being the first person at LCM High School to be elected homecoming king and not be a football player. I believe students voted for me because of who I am. I beat some really popular people. My student council sponsor told me i was the only one on the ballot who didnt have something bad written in by their name.
That was a special night for me and my family. We were all surprised that first of all I was nominated and I didnt believe I had won. My parents didnt expect me to win. They were just glad that i got nominated.
"The 2009 LCM Homecoming King is.... Kolby Flowers"
I remember just standing there. Waiting for someone to walk up and get their crown. I started looking around when no one was moving. I looked at my mom and stepdad who were sitting on the front row. My mother was crying. Christine Sicktich, my escort, pushed me forward and said "kolby..... go!"
I couldnt believe it. I still dont believe it.
That night i took a picture with my mom and my dad. That is the only picture i have of me and my parents together. The only picture.
To most i sound like a loser talking about student council. But to me, it is my life. I was no body before student council. Now 7 years later, I am Kolby Flowers, School Board Candidate, Student Body President, District President, and Vice President of the Largest Student Leadership Organization in the world. My local paper says i am "What looks to make this an election to watch" referring to my bid for school board.
But as one life ends another begins.
On February 8th I officially filed for the office of LCM CISD Board of Trustees. In hopes that I can help give back to the school that gave me so many opportunities. That believed in me every step i took. If elected, I will become the youngest school board member ever elected. But that doesn't matter to me. Ive learned that its not about the titles. But what you do with your title.
Many people have asked me if i want to pursue a career in politics. I dont know the answer to that anymore. Im in a school board election of all things and that is exhausting enough and its one of the smallest things you can run for. But i say its worth it, even if i change one life for the better. I know, that where ever life takes me, i want to continue to serve people. That is what I am best at.
Many people believe I am too young to run for school board. To those people i say: you are simply mistaken.
I will not sit around and wait for change. There just isnt enough time in the world for that to happen. You must not wait for someone else to change the world but instead be the change in the world. You must take control of your life. The Time is Now. Our World. Our Responsibility. Period.
-- Kolby Flowers
TASC Vice President
