August 2012 – May 2013

2 Minutes Read

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The first leadership experience and opportunity that I recognized and personally sought out was in my 8th-grade year at Chico Jr. High School. Many of the accomplishments I’ve completed and the ones I achieved in my 8th-grade year will not have been possible without the guidance of my Leadership teacher, Andy Wahl.

I remember feeling so unprepared and not smart enough for your Leadership class and yet you still encouraged me to join. That was the first time I ever felt imposter syndrome and throughout that academic year, the more I grew and learned, I began to have more confidence in myself and my actions. You took a chance on me… You took a chance on me, a Hmong-American student that just wanted to prove that he too, can make a difference in his community in his small own ways, and for that, I will be forever grateful to you. You do not know how much that meant to me back then, and even now in my present. It was such a privilege to have you as a teacher who pushed me to do better and to challenge myself whenever I didn’t feel ready for a task.

When I was called up for Chico Rotary Club’s Outstanding Citizenship Award, I was so shocked. I couldn’t believe my name was being called. I had no idea I was even considered for this award. The only other person that received this award was a female classmate in my Leadership class. This was the validation I needed at the end of the year for me to truly know that my actions and efforts in my community were seen, heard, and appreciated.

Teamwork, professionalism, work ethic, communication, and so many other skills I was able to develop and use came from my experience in Mr. Wahl’s class. This class served as the foundation for the skills I have developed to this day. I couldn’t have asked for a better Leadership teacher. I personally felt like Mr. Wahl was genuinely someone in my 8th-grade year that believed in me, my work ethic, and my potential in life. I hope that these awards I was able to obtain on 8th-grade awards night made you proud. Thank you, Mr. Wahl, for believing in me and I hope you rest well up there.