Full Name: Emma Driller

What school do you attend?

Cookeville Highschool

Tell us about yourself.

I am a doer. I wake up and I try to make the most of every moment; I will do with all my heart. I love to be apart of the things that make you feel apart of people's lives. I truly love using everyday to achieve or simply work on a new skill that will drive me in life. I try to try in order to do... if that can make grammatical sense. I also attempt to be the rational one of the group; you know the sensible one, but you know, I just can't help breaking cover. I break with grace, don't get me wrong, but I genuinely can't help but overly take in what life has already offered me. I can't help but cherish what I have already experienced.

What is your greatest strength, and why?

I am aware. Aware of my self and others. Aware of what life truly entails. The work, the labour, the joy, and the love. I think of this as a strength. I take pride in acknowledging my surroundings when others lack perspective. It helps me grow as a person and live with a creative vigor. It pushes me to know more.

What is your greatest weakness, and why?

I will tend to be a mediator within my own conflicts. This hinders me from reaching my full self-strength. My full level of leadership when I want to lead others. I don't think I sympathized too much, but more trying to resolve without thinking much as to how it affects me. I want to be a strong person that respects and is respected. However, when I avoid conflict I afflict the chance to show my strength.

What skills do you need to learn to turn your greatest weakness into your greatest strength?

I need to step back from what I am becoming aware of and process slowly. To not just take in but to fliter through. You can be aware and get all the information you want, but when you don't apply or process you really have no use for what you have been given.

What is the biggest challenge you have overcome, and what did you learn from that?

I have overcome the temptation of giving in. Giving in to what is easier, what is simpler, or seemingly more valuable. I have learned that conformity isn't happiness and that blending isn't fitting in. When we strive to follow our own paths made by our Lord, we have found true life. The true way to breath and the real reason our hearts beat. It is hard but through strength, motivation, guidance, and love, you live.

Why do you deserve this award?

What is it to deserve something? I even need to ask myself if I deserve this award. I think deserving comes from working towards somethings, and I have worked very hard to become a model for my peers. I have worked very hard to become what I am today. I have been working for something of value to me; I think it's up to the reader to decide if it is of the same value. However, my work ethic leads me to believe that I have the heart for this award.

Who has been a role model for you, and why?

The directors and coaches that I am so grateful for, have lead me passed what I thought I could push. Not wholly in my skills but also in how I have grown throughout the last couple of years. Michael Choate, David Talbert, and Ron Graves have opened be to my limits. My limits being told as non existent. They have shown be how to live through music passions and dreams. To chase them no matter the obstacle, and to do it with humility and grace.

What is the biggest mistake you made, and what have you learned from that mistake?

I lost a great friendship due to an overeaction. The overreaction was mine and granted we were in the 4th grade, but I see this person all the time and everytime I am filled with regret for what we have missed out on. I learned a huge lesson as to the limits of selfishness. That in any relationship, you have to find the balance between you and them. I also learned how to become a better friend to thise around me and to slow down in reaction and to also communicate with better control.

What activities are you involved in?

I am in marching band playing the tuba. I will also be my school's drum major next year for the band. I am on the CHS swim team for the second year. I also help my local theater with stage crew as well as participate in my high school's productions as a cast member. I participated in track last year, however I will be attempting shock put this year. I am in Michael Choates Chamber choir, and I also frequently volunteer as a camp counselor when I can sqeeze the time in.

How are you giving back to others?

I give back with leadership. I also try to give back as a team member. To encourage and support my peers is a big part of how I live and how I strive to affect others. I don't particularly like the thought of any person feeling unwelcome or unfortunate. I want everyone to know they atleast have the opportunity to grow or to be apart of something. That they are welcome and know that tget have a divine purpose waiting to be grabbed by the reins.

Tell us about a personal achievement that makes you proud, and what you learned from that achievement?

It's kind of funny to others but I see it as a huge triumph. When I was younger, I fell into the wrong group of middle schoolers. The worst they did was say wrong things, but of course, as a growing little human, I complied and a joined them. However, my accomplishment; on my own, I realized what I was doing was against my beliefs and morals. To get the next part, you must know that I don't live with my mother. She lives in Texas. I look up to my mother so very much. I ended up writing and sending her a letter apologizing for saying those things. She had no idea that I was saying wrong things but I knew I had to tell her and say that I was sorry. It may seem silly but it showed me that I can stop a bad habit; that I can overcome the peer pressure with my own will. I don't need to wait for others to show me because I know in my heart what is right and wrong. I have the strength to be better than the person I was yesterday.

How do you define being a humble person?

I would define a humble person as a person who recognizes the worth of others above their own. Someone who lifts the people around them without asking to be lifted back. I think the humble don't dismiss what they have but they more recognize what others have before their own attributes.

How do you define servant leadership?

Guiding others by putting them first. Well no, not putting them first but loving them first. I can't help but think of Jesus. He is a servent before God and others but he also leads us to living waters. I don't think I myself could find words to define Jesus but if He were an adjective, He would be servant leader.

Is there anything else we should know about you?

I want to succeed. Just hearing about the opportunity to participate with such high caliber artists has truly inspired me to strive for success. My own success that makes my life full of joy and living water. The chance to be apart of this event is really amazing and I am so grateful to those who have allowed me to be in this position. I am no better than any other on the planet, but I will strive harder, work harder, and live harder than most will ever attempt. I have the passion and the means to have joy, to live by my purpose and heart. I can only hope that more opportunities like this will come or better that I can make those opportunities. Thank you for considering me and my peers. Thank you for this opportunity!