This applicant, Aonat Popoola, is applying for the co-chair position of the Youth Executive Board for 2014-2015. Some key strengths they highlight include determination, problem solving, flexibility, and a democratic leadership style. They are interested in this role for the leadership experience and to help realize visions. As co-chair, they aim to ensure all members can contribute ideas and want to organize more hands-on experiences and college visits. Their involvement with MN Youth Council and college applications may conflict with the schedule but they are determined and flexible.

1. Youth Executive Board
2014-2015
Co-chair Application

2. Who am I ?
• My name is Aonat Popoola
• I am a Stillwater Area High School
Senior (class of 2015)

3. My Strengths
• Determination AND Problem solving
– I think two of my greatest strengths are
determination and problem solving. I have the
ability to see a situation from different perspectives
and I can get my work done even in the face of
difficult obstacles.

4. Personal challenges
• Self Transportation
• Taking on too much at a time
– I like taking on many different challenges
(including academic challenges)
– I get involved with different things of my interests
and things beneficial to my growth as a youth.
Because of this, I have a lot on my schedule but
the good thing about it is that I’ve learned to
manage my time and set priorities.

5. Leadership Styles
• East Eagle
– Visionary - the ability to visualize
results
– Idea oriented – coming up with many
different ideas and
– Creativity – having creative ways to
solve problems.

6. Beyond East Eagle
• Flexibility to handle change
– Whenever there is a change of any sort, I analyze the
situation and I try to find ways to contribute to the change
in a positive way. I handle the situation by quickly applying
my self to make them a success.
• Ability to step out of comfort zone
• Democratic leadership style
– I am opened to this style because it is effective in decision-
making process when everyone has an equal say. It
encourages creativity.

7. Why am I Interested in the
co-chair position?
• Greater Leadership Role
• The Experience
– Would give the opportunity to acquire more skills in terms
of working with others and
• to translate visions into reality

8. What I can bring to YEB
&
What I would change
• My ability to work well in groups
• My previous experiences with other
leadership groups like YEB
• I would change the fact that we spent
most of the year(2013-2014) in the
meeting area.
– I feel the need to change this because YEB members learn
a lot of things during the year so it would be great to have
more practical experiences.

9. Educational Equity
• Equity Fairness – access
to the same opportunities
– 15 students in an advanced math class with a qualified
teacher and a sign language translator for students who
need it.
• Equality Sameness – access
to the same things
– 15 students in an advanced math class with a qualified
teacher.

10. Biggest Challenge for YEB
• I feel the biggest challenge for YEB
would be attending to all the great
ideas YEB members contribute for the
benefit of the program.

11. My Vision for YEB
• Making sure everyone are able to
voice their opinions and take
whatever actions necessary.
• College visits
• More Hands-on experience
– More events such as the Feed My Starving Children.

12. Possibility Of Conflict In My Schedule
• MN Youth Council is a
– “a collaboration of youth and adults working together to
empower and mobilize youth across the state to exercise
their voices, opinions and ideas to take action on youth
issues.”
• College applications in the fall
– Including college visits

13. I think I have covered everything but I
want to emphasize that I would be
excited to be given the chance to apply
what I’ve learned in 10 years of
leadership programs and related
opportunities to being a YEB 2014-
2015 Co-chair.