The goal of every ICC student is to become an effective, competent, cultural communicator, and the training and leadership I've involved myself in during my time with the organization has been key in developing my ability to connect and speak to people. Every single speech I gave was presented to the community. The goal was to make an impact and immerse in the culture, not to hide from it in the sanctity and privacy of a club. The debate topics each year in the forensics society within the organization were designed to give students an opportunity to explore topics that our generation and our society is dealing with. From social media to bioterrorism, I was able to work alongside a partner and use the public forum debate style to research and clash over a wide spectrum of resolutions. I took well to debate. My classical training in middle school included formal logic and critical thinking, and I began teaching other students the art of practical debate in 9th grade. This was the first step in my journey toward national leadership.

As a teacher, I learned humility. Though I started out lecturing, as I thought was required, I decided instead to reform my approach. I felt myself disconnect when another student lectured to me, so I made a simple change. I came alongside the other students and began to model Socratic discussions. Soon, even the introverts and shy spoke their thoughts, and I was able to serve as a guide rather than a distant instructor. Soon after, I became a student leader. At first, my role was only recognized by my chapter. I worked alongside a mentor, and I developed a group presentation that was given before an audience. My dedication paid off, and by 10th grade, I was promoted to a nationally recognized role: community ambassador. No longer under the tutelage of a mentor, I was given the opportunity to do as much or as little to serve my chapter. I chose to stretch myself. I contacted adults, seeking opportunity for our chapter to present on a public platform. I continued instructing students, and I began to advance along the student leadership ladder of the national organization.

The student leader ladder, now the ICC Leadership Tree, was a series of opportunities to serve at local and national events. As a student becomes more experienced and fulfils requirements, he or she is able to apply to more advanced roles. I made it my goal to serve in every available position and garner as much experience as possible. Though I was disappointed at first by my lack of dictatorship power (After all, what's leadership without a huge amount of POWER?) I learned the meaning of servant leadership and the strength thereof.

Eventually, I joined the National Student Leader Council (NSLC), a group of the most experienced student leaders from across the nation that serve as liaisons between the national team and all chapter student leaders. We lead conference calls and listen to the queries and suggestions of these students, but we also have the opportunity to shape the organization by working toward changes. I did so by creating an online Google Plus Community for student leaders to reach past spacial separation and connect with one another. I also have consistently led media snippets, instructional segments on using Internet tools to benefits chapters and improve the work of student leaders. It's been an incredible opportunity to just share what I've learned and found out over the years. While our work on the conference calls are more consistent, The NSLC also worked to develop programs for training students during the Fall CFC Tour. I personally designed a new layout for a speech practicum, co designed training for students 13-18, and co-wrote the Model United Nations simulation held for each conference. I also joined the Colorado, Tennessee, and North East Conferences as a Student Instructor and NSLC representative. We, the NSLC, are currently developing a weeklong national winter convention called IGNITE. I will rendezvous again with the team in Tennessee for several weeks of preparation and to teach during the convention itself.

ICC has been about growth. I've gone from student to National Student Leader, and along the way I've become a better student, a better teacher, and a better communicator. I've been challenged in the Public Forum debate competition and won a perfect set of rounds at a national convention all with my then eleven-year-old brother as my partner and protégé. I've borne times of incredible stress while balancing my involvement with the rest of my life, but in the end it has been worth it, and I've come out stronger.