What Makes Me a True Spartan?

**The next few posts featured on the blog will feature Essay winners and finalist's compositions from a Scholarship contest put on by the Parent Guild. Each of the three winners received a $500 scholarship for the next academic year.**

What makes me a TRUE Spartan?

By Diana Guardado - Class of 2012

Contest winner!

A true Spartan is hard to define. To me it is being involved in school with a goal to help others and doing it because it brings you joy. School is not just about grades even though they are very important. It is about growing as a person and learning as much as you can for your future. As a Spartan I follow the ESLERS and go day by day trying to stick to my duties as a class officer. As a Spartan of ICA I work hard to be a good student, but also be a good person and help my fellow classmates and I do it because it makes me happy not because I am seeking anything out of it. It is something that comes from my heart and is sincere.

I am someone who is dedicated to my grades because I know they are my ticket to college, but I also am involved in school. My freshman year I decided to let go of my shyness and run for class officer and from then on I have ran and won each year. I did it because I wanted to be the voice for my class and because I wanted to be able to give my option and make a change. Apart from that I have done CSF/NHS, STRIVE, 2 languages 1 meaning, Softball, and Student council. I have done all of these things because I love being able to help my peers and help the school. I am always there when asked and never do it with a frown.

I follow the ESLERS by being a woman of faith, vision, learning, community, and leadership. I fill all these aspects to the fullest and demonstrate them. Currently I am Junior class president and president of 2 languages 1 meaning, a program that’s has been dedicated to translating at meetings for parents. As presidents of the class I try my hardest along with my fellow officers to improve the year with good attitude and bring fun to a class that is living a stressful year.

Overall school is a challenge but I’m proud of being a Spartan who does what I can to help others. I never think about myself or do it for my benefit but I do it thinking of how I can help improve other things. ICA has done so much for me and I consider myself a TRUE Spartan because I give back. I am very grateful for my years here and for all I have learned. My goal is to be a good Spartan and be able to leave ICA proud of all I have accomplished not only for myself but for my class.