Discuss a leadership experience you have had in any area of your life - school, work, athletics, family, church, community, etc. How and why did you become a leader in this area? How did this experience influence your goals?

"A Special Gift"

"Good evening ladies and gentleman. I stand with this podium to tell you that it is important for all of us to make somebody's wish come true. Have you ever had a wish? Was there something that you wanted so badly, something that you wanted to hold in your arms and call your own? I have decided to create Paladins of America, an organization of people whose main goal is to bring a sort of happiness to their community, to help the youth of our community. This year, during the month of December, I am calling on you to help purchase toys to give to children. Yes, children. In the fall, I met with a few youngsters and they told me what they wanted for Christmas. Jonathon wanted a brand new basketball. Stacey wanted a jump rope. Can we as a society not give these children such gifts? Most of these children are forced to live in dire conditions. Some do not have homes, some are orphans, and some may not even remain alive after Christmas due to cancer. I want to make these children's Christmas something they will always remember. We are America's paladins! Thank you and God bless you!" This was the speech I gave to several members of my school, several friends, and several business owners in the Rio Grande Valley. I was only ten years old at the time when I wrote and read the speech aloud (I made sure my father proofread it!). Because of my passion for children and understanding of hardships and financial restraints, I wanted to help children in my community realize that even in the midst of horror, there is someone there who does care about them.

As a youngster growing up, my family was always in financial troubles. Also, my greedy and selfish aunt refused to help her

brother get up on his feet and underpaid him. I remember how tired my father would come home from working at my aunt's store. His eyes were always bloodshot and he even began to take up smoking. By the age of three years old, I told my father that this madness needed to stop. As a son, I could not see my father suffering at the hands of finances and his evil sister. Now that I look back, I understand how he resorted to smoking and almost giving up on life. When one is placed in such a desperate situation, one does crazy things. There were nights when dinner was not served, causing my family to sleep with hungry bellies. There were no Christmas celebrations. If we could not afford food, there was no way that we were able to afford a tree, ornaments, and even presents. When I began school, Christmas was the worst time of the year for me. Friends would exclaim how they got the latest videogames, while I was stuck receiving a few shirts that I needed anyway. Christmas never supplied me with fulfilled wishes; instead, that was when I got new clothes for school or other necessities. Growing up was definitely difficult. I remember telling myself that I did not want any other child of the world feeling that horrible.

When I was four years old, my father broke away from my witch aunt and decided to open his own business. Both of my parents' retirement money went into investing into the business. Consequently, my fourth Christmas was amazing. I asked Santa for a stethoscope, a first aid kit, and a pristine lab coat with "Dr. Paresh Atu Jaini" embroidered on it, but I did not think they would come true. I was wrong because I got everything I asked for and I was left both speechless and ecstatic. I remember that Christmas as if it were yesterday. That was the first year when my parents bought a Christmas tree. That was the first year when my mother and I baked cookies together and laid them out for Santa Clause. That was the first year when Christmas felt like a real Christmas. My experience made me want to help other disadvantaged children because every child needs to have their dreams come

true.

When I was nine years old, I took it upon myself and told my parents that I really wanted to give back to the impoverished children in my community. My parents, who at that time finally achieved financial stability and more, decided to go along with my idea. I told my parents that I wanted to go to the dollar store and buy a lot of toys to give to kids. My father, mother, and I all went shopping and came out with about eight-hundred dollars worth of toys. On Christmas Eve, my family and I went to a local church, which had its own toy drive, and said that we were members of Paladins of America. The priests not only let us add our donation of toys, but also let us personally give a gift to every child. I met so many children and at times I wanted to cry. A little boy came up to me and asked if I had a stethoscope that I could give him. My mother found one in a stack of toys and told me to give it to the little boy. When I did, the little boy started crying.

He said, "I never thought I would get one. If only my parents were alive. Thank you, Mister."

I replied, "Merry Christmas." I could not say anything else because I began to cry.

The organization I led and created was meant to bring happiness to youngsters' eyes and let them know that they can have their wishes come true. I always thought that I led a miserable life, but now I realize that the pain I dealt with helped me help others. As far as my goals are concerned, I want Paladins of America to be a part of my life until the day I die. I want Paladins of America to become an international organization that is able to help unfortunate children outside of my community. I want Paladins of America to also help other foundations, such as "Mujeres Unidas," as long as the focus is on helping people achieve emotional and psychological happiness. "We are America's paladins! Thank you

and God bless you!"

Expensive gifts from a love one is a wonderful gesture, but it could make the person feel uneasyaccepting such a gift. Receiving an inexpensive present from a friend or family member that comes from the heart has more sentimental value to me than a gift that cost several hundred dollars. When I decided to write this essay three items that were given to me on special occasions stood out the most. The first inexpensive gift that I received was on Mother’s Day 2004, my children handed me a small red Jewry box from Wal-Mart. I was surprised to have received a beautiful jewelrybox from my young boys. I opened the box to find a small gold plated necklace, the shape of a heart. Although, the necklace is not expensive it holds a special

Receiving gifts is always very exciting. I think that all people like to receive presents from their relatives, friends, co-workers, etc. Personally, I am sure that a person does not remember all gifts he has received because it is impossible. However, I know that all people remember a few gifts that were special. Why people remember those special gifts?  First of all, I believe that people remember special gifts because they were from very close and dear people. For example, I remember my parents presented me a ring when I was sixteen years old. It was not an expensive ring but it was very valuable for me and when I left my home and moved to another city I often looked at that ring and felt like my parents were somewhere near me. I felt their support and understanding. It is like people who are close to us give their small parts of their sole with that gift. They want us to remember them and they want to make us happy. These gifts are very valuable for people of all countries and nationalities.   Another reason why people remember special gifts because they were exactly what people wanted to have for a long time, but for some reasons, for example, they just could not afford those things, they did not buy them. So, when they receive those things as  gifts it makes them very happy and they remember those moments for a long time. When I was a child my mother could not buy me a bicycle because we did not have enough money at that time. So, when my grandfather bought me my first bicycle it was the happiest moment in my life. Moreover, he personally taught me how to ride and I spent all my spare time after that event cycling.   To sum up, I think that people remember special gifts because they presented with love

Gifts have their own way to bring happiness to a people. People usually give gifts to friends and relative to share their feelings. That is one of the ways to strengthen the relationship between two people. Usually gifts give joy and pleasure to the receiver. People usually think that a gift are always tangible, but is that always true? My answer is a big no; I think there are some intangible gifts which show you how to live a better life. I usually get gifts from my friends and relative on different occasions, but the gift which I received from my mother, to respect and care for others, was the best gift ever. My mom has numerous good qualities. She is a very loving and kind person. She is a very hard worker and dedicated towards her work. Everyone who knows my mom likes her a lot because of her ready to help and polite nature. She never loses her courage, regardless of any situation. Even in our bad economic situation,