Every once in a while, there comes a leadership situation that is "how did I get here?" a leadership situation that is an honor and needs no further intrusion that it is a great idea. A leadership thing that screams "I need to do this" and is unique. While there have been dozens like this, here are my top 5 situations that stand out because they are unique:
5. Autism Campus Inclusion (August 2012): This is unique because I was chosen out of thousands of students with autism and was the only one from Idaho chosen. Also I was one of a handful from the West (there were 2 from California, 2 from Washington and 1 from Texas besides me in the West). I learned a lot and think that the tools I learned while I never started an Autistic Self-Advocacy Network chapter in Idaho, were tools that I can use to further my advocacy strengths. And I'm grateful for that.
4. Partnership Jamaica (March 2011): While this loses points for uniqueness now as over a hundred from Boise State have gone, I was the first group to go and to help make Jamaica a better place. Furthermore, I was chosen from over 200 applicants as 1 of 15 people and got to do an abroad journey over there and had a great time- the work ethic was great and while it was demanding, I learned many valuable lessons about leadership and teamwork while there. It was absolutely wonderful!
3. It Gets Better March (November 2010): Not many people in Idaho can say that they have put on a march in the cold in Boise in November and even fewer can say that they stayed afterwards for the vigil- it was truly a unique experience working just with LGBT individuals on furthering their rights and trying to make the world a brighter, more enlightened place. Bonus points for trying to get media contacts and succeeding and even more bonus points for being on TV and doing an internship while making this happen.
2. Pride Festival (June 2011-2014, June 2016): One of the few churches to march in the parade and hold up a booth all of those years plus 2015 was Southminster Presbyterian Church. I feel extra privileged to speak out against the injustices and to create a much better place and help apologize to numerous people who don't go to church there. And my outfits every year get more and more flamboyant: from a pink t, a gay rights scarf, and a BSU hat for a few years to this year being in balloon tentacles that a drag queen gave to me. It was a unique time because it's the one time a year that I can be that flamboyant while supporting a church in that advocacy realm and not get a filthy look.
1. Obama Speech (January 2015): None leadership honor I've ever gotten is bigger than this. This is what happened over the course of several hours that day: waiting for the remarks and doing plenty of pics with friends and chatting, hearing the president speak, shaking the president's hand, being on TV with said speech, and getting numerous calls and texts over the next few days and some verbal congratulations from church and Boise State people and professional people over a few weeks with shaking the President's hand. I won't want to shake Trump's hand in any manner but I consider Obama one of the best presidents we've ever had and feel amazed that I was able to. So that's all for this blog: stay tuned for the next blog: top 5 unique sports team situations I've ever had followed by top 5 unique friendships and top 5 unique exercise class situations that I've ever had. Happy New Year everyone AutBott signing off!
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