Sophie Henderson: Leadership

    Hi there! My name is Sophie Henderson. I am a Marketing major with minors in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Writing, and Philosophy. I am from Clarkston, Washington, about two hours south, and never thought I would end up at a school as close to my hometown as Gonzaga. However, I’m so grateful I did because this special place has become home in a way I never thought possible. Each day here offers me an opportunity to be grateful for this time of life and the chance to be a Zag! I have met my best friends here and found true community, much thanks to Setons. Beyond Setons, I spend my time as a Gonzaga Ambassador and a Project Manager for New Venture Lab, and I love having time to thrift, run, ski, go to concerts, take road trips, read, write, listen to music, cook and eat, and just spend time with the people I love!
                                         

    I am so excited to get to write about leadership from a Seton's perspective. This past year, I have had the absolute honor of serving as Vice President for our class, and the experiences that I have had have taught me so much about what effective, good-natured leadership looks like, especially in a day-to-day sense. I have always felt that leadership was the most foundational of our three pillars because without leadership, sisterhood and service may struggle to thrive and excel. I believe that leadership requires no title or special occasion and that it is accessible to anyone willing to flex that brave muscle. I have witnessed leadership in every aspect of Setons and am constantly inspired by the way that my Setons sisters exhibit it in something as simple as chatting with the visitor at the place where I have my weekly service at or in speaking well of a sister when she is not in the room, I see leadership in all that we do. As Vice President, I have been privileged to see all of the executive team working behind the scenes to fulfill their duties and to make an outstanding year and vision a reality for all of us to benefit from. Each member of Setons shows an extraordinary amount of leadership through time management, service to others, the way that they treat each other, the way that they interact on campus and in the community with others, and how they portray what it means to be a Seton. Consistently deciding to show up as our best selves for the benefit of those around us, especially at a time as fatiguing as college, shows an inspiring amount of leadership and foresight. I am so proud to be part of this organization that does not let leadership become a stagnant practice but instead offers growth and learning opportunities each week as we grow as individuals and collectively as a club. It is a pleasure and dream to build my leadership repertoire in reflection of this great organization full of girls that have affected me positively in so many ways.