Phenomenal Woman, that's me

I was twelve when my mom first read me the poem “Phenomenal Woman”. When she finished reading, I remember her telling me that I was bound for greatness—that I would change the world.

I didn’t believe her.

At that young and fragile age, the only things on my mind were boys, acne, and the latest episode of “Lizzie McGuire”. Changing the world was probably the farthest thing from my mind. However, over the past year, I have discovered the Phenomenal Woman I am; and the Phenomenal Woman that I am destined to be.
On June 30th of 2007, I sheepishly walked up the steps of Lee Hall to begin my week at the YMCA Conference on National Affairs. Each year, 400 students are selected from across the country to participate in the conference in Black Mountain, NC, and amazingly enough, I was one of those 400. Prior to my arrival, I had heard about “catching” the Blue Ridge Spirit at CONA. I wasn’t sure what it was or how you got it, so I was eager to find out. Within my first hour at CONA, I was engulfed in the Blue Ridge Spirit—with it filling my soul, touching my heart, and embedding in my mind forever. You see, the Blue Ridge Spirit isn’t something I can put into words. The second I walked up those white steps of Lee Hall (the building that CONA is centered around), I was at home. I spent the entire week meeting new people, debating proposals on national and international concern, and having the time of my life. It was our time to be heard; my time to be heard. I never missed an opportunity to raise my placard and speak about a proposal and for the first time in my life, my beliefs and ideals were challenged and questioned by my peers. On the last night of CONA, all 400 delegates stood around a bonfire, held hands, and celebrated a week of diversity, learning, and our ultimate goal of changing the world together. CONA wasn’t just about getting out of Shelby for a week—it was about learning what an impact my generation can have and finding myself within the rising fog of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
From that week on, I was hooked on politics and developing public policy. In August, I applied for a Political Correspondent position at CosmoGirl! magazine—my first big Phenomenal act since CONA. I wrote an essay, filled out an application, said a quick prayer, and pressed send. Little did I know what would come of that simple task…
I also started the 2007 Crest High School Varsity Volleyball season in August. Right after tryouts, I decided that I would no longer be a mediocre volleyball player. I decided that I wanted to be the 2007 CHS Libero. Libero is a special position—the player is a defensive specialist, who wears a different color jersey, digs the other teams’ hits, and can go in and out of the game freely. I pushed myself at practice and on my own—running and lifting weights at home. At the first tournament of the season, before getting off of the bus, my coach called me over and said, “Alex, take both of your jerseys with you.” Another girl played libero throughout the first half of the tournament—and she did a pretty decent job. I had lost all hope. After lunch, my coach told me to change into the different colored jersey. I put it on, and didn’t take it off until the season ended in November. After the season, I was named All-Conference and CHS Defensive Player of the Year. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.
It was around that time when I got a call from CosmoGirl! saying that I was being considered for the Political Correspondent position. Unfortunately, a few weeks later, I found out that I didn’t land the Political Correspondent job, but the mag wanted to bring me on as a Political Stringer—to report locally on the election, conduct surveys, and be the eyes and ears of the Political Correspondent. Who wouldn’t grab the opportunity? I went on to meet Barack Obama and John Edwards during the SC Primaries and there is a possibility that I’ll be published in the magazine in September. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.
I interviewed for a scholarship to go to Presidential Classroom in Washington, D.C. last fall. I got past the first round of applications; however, I didn’t get the scholarship. I was absolutely devastated. I’ve never been good a losing—especially when it comes to something I’m passionate about. I went through my interview over and over again in my head, trying to think of what I could have said differently. But after a while, I realized that I did my best and had nothing to be ashamed of. My parents have always felt strongly about going after my dreams, so they paid for my trip to D.C. in February. I could go on and on about the incredible week I had meeting new people, talking to nationally accredited reporters, and learning more about journalism, but I do believe you would be tired of reading. But the two most important things that happened are that I was voted the Editor-in-Chief of my caucus for our simulation project and I got an internship offer on Capitol Hill for the summer of 2009—not too shabby right? If I had gotten the scholarship, then I wouldn’t have gone the week I did and gotten those opportunities. And if I had just given up, I wouldn’t have gone at all. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.
After CONA the previous summer, I decided to run for Lieutenant Governor of the North Carolina Youth and Government (the state version of CONA). The Youth and Government Conference lasts four days and is held in Raleigh each February. You'd think that after the conference I would look back and only remember a blur of campaign stickers and hand shakes. But it was so much more. First, and foremost, I got to spend time with my unconventional family -- all of the amazing people I spent a week sitting in green rocking chairs and sharing the Blue Ridge Spirit with last summer. I didn't realize how much I had missed them until YAG. And then there was the fantastic experience of running for Lt. Governor. On Thursday, I made it my goal to meet everyone I possibly could at the conference and I'm happy to say that I succeeded. I'm horrible with names, but I definitely remember the face of every person I met and for the record, you guys are all incredible. Friday night was my favorite. The week before YAG, I spent hours writing my speech, striving for perfection. And then I blinked -- and I was eating my dinner at the Governor's Banquet. I was so nervous I didn't even eat my chocolate cake (for those of you who know me well, you know how serious that is haha) and thankfully Mariah gives great pep talks. I blinked again, and the current Youth Governor was standing in front of 1,000 people saying, "...Alexandra Hollifield." From the second I stood up to walk to the podium, all of my nerves vanished and every fear I had of imperfection melted away. Standing in front of all of those people, knowing that they were hanging on to my every word, I felt absolutely invincible. Well, the amazing and quite deserving Zach Gignac won the election and he will do a fabulous job next year :). Even though I lost the election, I made a speech in front of 1,000 people, made new friends, had a great SNL dance, debated, got my bill passed and made unforgettable memories -- not a bad way to spend a weekend, yes? I got home and had dozens of facebook comments and friend requests saying, “I voted for you! You did an amazing job this weekend!” Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.
So here I am; wrapping up another school year. I haven’t said all of this to brag on myself. I’ve said it to show anyone who reads this that you can be Phenomenal. All of the incredible events of the past year have happened because I’ve been blessed with confidence from the Big Man Upstairs and no one can take that away now. For me, it all started with a journey up a mountain. I’m looking forward to that same journey all over again in less than a month. I’m anxious to see what my future holds; anxious to make a difference—anxious to be Phenomenal. Maybe I’ll be a journalist, or a lawyer, or a lobbyist…

Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.