My cousin is currently in the same elementary school that I attended. When I asked him about things he enjoys at school, he told me about a running club that the school offers. Little did he know that I was the reason the club was created. When it comes to sports, I lead by example. I was in fourth grade when a group of kids and I showed our love for running during physical education. Our teacher saw how dedicated we were and decided to talk about a $5$k close to our city. I wouldn$$t say I liked that we were the only $4$ students being offered this, so I took it upon myself to encourage the other kids around me$.$ As I took this role, I knew I had to show how running wasn$$t just about exercising. I exhibited my passion for running and how enjoyable it could be$.$ Since we didn$$t have physical education every day, we decided to create a club to prepare for the $5$k and have after$-$school practice. This was a part of my life where I realized leadership was essential to motivate others. I$$ve participated in sports for nine years now and it has taught me that if my teammates see the skills I have developed, they are more likely to embody these qualities as well. As a $3-$year returner in my high school's cross country and track varsity teams, I knew that the athletes were now responsible for improving themselves. When the coach wasn$$t at practice, I took it into my own hands to plan what we were going to do in order for it to go smoothly. My discipline and integrity for the team made me someone my teammates could trust and listen to$.$ They saw that I was taking it seriously even when an adult figure wasn$$t around, which inspired them to do the same. I ensure that the improvement is then happening for the whole team. Being a leader showed me the influence one could have on someone as we encourage them to reach the common goal of an athlete.