1. Clara Dimailig
004030882
Reflection Paper
My idea of leadership started when I had entered high school. I knew I wanted a new
beginning and start out fresh as I was entering as a freshman. I joined Mira Mesa High School’s
color guard team and fell in love. I aspired one day in hopes of becoming the captain by the time
I was a senior and low and behold, I became one. My experiences of helping others throughout
my years in color guard has shaped who I am today. My leadership abilities began to expand
from the challenges I have faced in color guard that translates in other areas of my life; such as
school, family, friends, and my future career. From all of the obstacles I overcame as a leader,
my idea of leadership lead me to TLC.
This program has benefitted my leadership qualities because first, it taught me a lot of
time management. I learned that some characteristics of a leader consists of managing your time
wisely, giving back to the community to benefit others as well as yourself, and taking the time to
connect and understand others in a well manner. I have learned that I am more capable of doing
good and spreading love to others. My experience at Mountain Shadows definitely opened my
eyes and I am truly grateful to be apart of the experience I had with my fellow friends there. I
have learned just by giving my time out of school to Mountain Shadows was worth all the time
in the world for them. The thought of knowing I caused them to smile makes me really happy
and I know that I am able to be the difference and spread love. Mountain Shadows made a huge
impact on my life because it made me realize how time is very valuable and care is very
important. I love to make a difference and make this world a better place.
Before I had officially joined TLC, I developed two SMART goals with the help
of my peer leader, Paulette Cruz. My two goals were to start looking for business or art

2. internships in order to get a better idea of what it is I want to do in the future and to be more
involved on campus by joining clubs and attending events. I achieved my goals by working hard
and constantly searched for answers. For my first goal, I am a business major and an art minor so
I wanted to look for internships that fit either criteria. I did not find any internships, however, I
had recently gotten a promotion at work. I worked for Jamba Juice as a team member and I am
now the new shift lead. As obtaining a leadership position at work, I am now responsible for
micromanaging my team members, handling money and paperwork, and leading the store to
success. Although I did not find a business internship, I had found a business related job that I
know will soon open doors for me in the near future. For my second goal, I am definitely more
involved on campus by joining clubs and attending events. TLC is one organization that I put my
time into, along with Hula Club, Circle K, and soon-to-be Entrepreneurship Society. My
experience in college has changed a lot in a good way. Being more involved makes me happier
as a person.
TLC helped me progress towards meeting my career goals of becoming a future worker
in a business industry. This program relates to my future career and my social life. It taught me
all of the stepping stones needed to become the best person I can be; which includes being a
responsible, trustworthy, motivated, confident, and dedicated young woman. TLC is full of
amazing people that are always willing to help me if I have any questions or concerns about my
career path in college. I also value Ms. Shannon’s advice and opinions about the issues we all
talk about during the workshops.
The speeches from all of the workshops gave me huge insight on many areas I was not
aware of before. All of the campus and civic engagements as well taught me that I can be

3. affiliated with more opportunities and that I do have time around my school and work schedule.
For my campus engagement, I had attended many dance practices for my Hula Club on campus,
meetings for the College of Business Administration of California State University of San
Marcos to get into the business program, and meetings with my COBA mentor. For my civic
engagement, I had attended Mountain Shadow events, volunteered at band and color guard
competitions, and taught at Junipero Serra High School color guard practices.
I have learned to be a more well rounded person with having to be involved in many
activities. It taught me the value of time, commitment, and appreciation towards others. My
experience I had with these events gave me a better understanding of what leadership is all
about. Thanks to the TLC program, it made me realize that I do have all of the characteristics of
what it takes to be a leader because we all do; we all just have to work hard and lead by action,
not with words. I have implemented what I have learned from TLC to my life by constantly
giving back, working with time management, and many more.