Allah help me
Essay 1 (max 350 words): Describe a situation that demonstrates your leadership
style
My interest in social work stems from my writing passion. I enjoy writing because it helps me express myself and alleviate my frustrations. Writing has had a huge influence on my life. It taught me valuable skills, including patience, authenticity, dedication, and confidence. An example of this is when I created a personal blog called the “Shining Star” where I write posts on different topics and social issues that are important issues to me such as: educational inequality, gender roles, media, representation, Syrian refugees, and Egypt.. Writing provides happiness and an opportunity to become a better person and advocate. My blog allows me to advocate, inform, and educate my readers for positive change. Writing has enabled me to observe the world and its tendencies.
My internship at Abilities allowed me to focus on this issue and make a difference. During this time, I worked in business communications and helped students with resumes and cover letters. I was able to advocate for the students and highlight the qualities that made them stand out as individuals. This internship helped me realize that I want to become a therapist to help people with their problems, along with becoming an activist who speaks up for people who feel like they do not have a voice. I am aware that attending therapy is stigmatized, so I want to create an environment where people feel safe and comfortable to fully express themselves. I hope to make people comfortable talking about a variety of topics so we can alleviate their frustrations together. Even if people do not want to talk about their problems, I will listen to their frustrations as a friend if they just need someone to talk to.
Essay 2 (max 350 words): What is your proudest achievement so far? Please include
why and any obstacles you had to address.
I recently started working at the Safeena Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization to help people with disabilities. We help students with disabilities get resources and support services like self direction and community services accommodations in schools so they can perform well.
As a social worker, I encourage my clients to utilize their voices by helping them use their passions to create different outlets that help them become comfortable sharing their unique experiences with others.
My passion for writing also contributes to my interest in social work. I enjoy writing because it helps me express myself and alleviate my frustrations. Writing has had a huge influence on my life. It taught me valuable skills, including patience, authenticity, dedication, and confidence. It strengthens my ability to advocate for people and share my experiences, knowledge, and feelings with people. This began when I created a beautiful heartfelt blog called the Shining Star where I write posts on many different topics. Writing makes me happy and a better person and advocate. My blog allows me to use my voice to advocate, inform, and educate my readers to help influence them to make a positive change. My voice is reaching a big audience people from all over the world—from the United States all way to Poland, India, Egypt , Saudi Arabia, France, Kuwait, and the Philippines. I use my blog to advocate for people by educating and informing my audience on many different topics that are important issues to me such as: educational inequality, gender roles, media, representation, Syrian refugees, and Egypt. Writing has enabled me to observe the world and its tendencies. Through writing, I can advocate for myself and others. As a social worker, I will work with my clients to help them find their voices and different outlets to express themselves while I teach them how to advocate independently so they become as comfortable sharing their unique experiences with other people as I am I with writing.
Essay 3 (max 350 words): Identify a significant issue impacting the disability community
and some initial realistic ideas to address the issue.
Malcolm X once said, "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." (Bailey) A good educational experience gives people the absolute freedom to think, learn, grow, and travel the world. Therefore, knowledge is the most powerful weapon because it gives individuals the tools to understand the world, solve problems, empower themselves, overcome challenges, and experience personal growth. Everyone deserves a good, equal education to be a strong, successful, productive individual in society. Individuals with disabilities must be educated and exposed to an equal educational experience as their fellow students. Every child deserves to learn. Unfortunately, this is not the reality of our education system; students with disabilities do not have the same opportunities in schools as others.
Education gives people the absolute freedom to reason and communicate with the outside world. Unfortunately, only 65 percent of disabled people graduate from high school compared to 86 percent of their counterparts. (United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, n.d.). Based on my research, individuals with disabilities have the right to equal education according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (2024, American University)
The process for identifying children for special education programs includes an assessment. For example, a school can complete a functional behavior assessment (FBA) of students removed from their classes for more than 10 days due to problematic behaviors based on IDEA stipulations. However because of these assessments being based on behavior rather than academic and social intelligence, they do not show the whole picture of a student's abilities in the class. If properly trained, educators who witness students struggling academically and socially can intervene as soon as they recognize the signs.
Instead of just screening students who are struggling in school, school administrators could expand observations to all students to help address the needs of every student. Additionally, decisions on whether or not students may benefit from a special education program could include assessments of various factors, including test scores, subjective observati
Essay 1: Leadership Style
(Revised to 345 words)
My leadership style is rooted in empathy, advocacy, and the power of storytelling. My passion for writing has always been my outlet for self-expression and a tool for change. Writing taught me patience, authenticity, and dedication—qualities I bring to every leadership role. One example of this is my personal blog, The Shining Star, where I write about educational inequality, gender roles, media representation, the Syrian refugee crisis, and my cultural roots in Egypt. Through this platform, I use my voice to advocate, inform, and inspire change.
Leadership, for me, means creating space for others to be heard. During my internship at Abilities, I worked in business communications to help students with disabilities craft resumes and cover letters. I didn't just edit documents—I listened to their stories, identified their strengths, and helped them realize the value they bring. My role was to guide and uplift, .empowering them to present themselves with confidence and pride.
That experience solidified my dream of becoming both a therapist and an activist. I want to provide safe spaces for people to speak freely—especially those who have felt silenced. I recognize that therapy is often stigmatized, particularly in underserved communities. As a future therapist, I hope to change that by combining my advocacy background and deep compassion to make people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Even when words fail, I’ll be there to listen. Whether through therapy, advocacy, or simply being a supportive presence, my goal as a leader is to help others find their voice—just as writing helped me find mine.
Essay 2: Proudest Achievement
(Revised to 346 words)
One of my proudest achievements is joining the Safeena Foundation, a nonprofit that supports people with disabilities by helping them access educational resources, self-direction, and community services. As a social worker, I support students by helping them advocate for themselves, build confidence, and connect to tools that support academic success.
Many of my clients are hesitant to speak up for themselves. To help them, I encourage the use of creative outlets—especially writing—as a way to explore their identity and express their feelings. This strategy is deeply personal to me. Writing is how I found my own voice. It has given me the courage to face challenges, build resilience, and become a more compassionate advocate.
Years ago, I started The Shining Star, a blog where I write about the issues I care about—educational inequality, gender roles, media, representation, the Syrian refugee crisis, and Egyptian culture. My blog has reached readers from across the globe, including the United States, Poland, Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, France, and the Philippines. This global impact reminds me that our voices, no matter how small they may seem at first, can ripple outward to make real change.
Working at Safeena has allowed me to connect my passion for writing with real-world advocacy. I’ve helped students who felt invisible recognize their worth and start speaking up about their needs. I’ve guided them through IEP meetings and self-advocacy strategies, always emphasizing that their experiences matter.
The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is learning to believe in my own voice. As someone with a disability, I once felt unsure of how I fit into advocacy spaces. But now, I see my experience as a strength. I’m proud of the work I do every day to help others stand tall in their truth—just as I’ve learned to stand in mine.
.Essay 3: Disability Issue & Solutions
(Revised to 345 words)
Malcolm X once said, "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." Yet many students with disabilities are denied that passport. In the U.S., only 65% of students with disabilities graduate high school, compared to 86% of their peers. This disparity reflects a deeper systemic issue: students with disabilities are too often overlooked, misjudged, or placed in programs that don’t reflect their true potential.
Although the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees equal access to education, implementation often falls short. Many schools rely on functional behavior assessments (FBA) to identify students for special education services. These assessments, however, often focus narrowly on behavioral challenges—ignoring the broader academic, emotional, and social context. As a result, students may be misclassified or left without the support they truly need.
One realistic solution is to expand early observation and intervention. Instead of waiting for students to struggle, schools should assess the needs of all students—using a combination of test scores, classroom performance, and teacher input to create a more holistic picture. Educators must also be trained to recognize subtle signs of learning and social-emotional challenges. This proactive approach would ensure timely and accurate identification, allowing students to receive support before falling behind.
Another key strategy is integrating inclusive education practices into general classrooms. By adapting curricula and providing support services within mainstream settings, we reduce stigma and create a culture of belonging. Inclusion benefits not only students with disabilities but their peers as well, fostering empathy and collaboration.
Finally, schools must prioritize student voice. Students should be active participants in their IEP or 504 Plan processes. When students understand their rights and feel empowered to speak up, they become their own best advocates.
True inclusion isn’t about lowering standards—it’s about removing barriers. All students deserve the tools to thrive.
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Of course! Below are expanded versions of your essays, still within the 350-word limit. I’ve added depth, clarity, and emotional weight where possible, while preserving your original tone and message. Each version gives you more substance and brings your unique voice and leadership to life.
✅ Essay 1 (Leadership Style – Expanded Version, 349 words)
My leadership style centers around compassion, creativity, and empowering others to use their voices. For me, leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about influence, connection, and building others up. One of the most meaningful ways I’ve developed as a leader is through writing.
Writing has always been my safe space. It allows me to process complex emotions and bring attention to social justice issues that deeply affect me. I founded The Shining Star, a personal blog where I write about educational inequality, gender roles, media representation, Syrian refugees, and my Egyptian heritage. What began as a form of self-expression has grown into a platform for advocacy that reaches readers around the world. I use my words to spark conversations, educate others, and inspire action.
Leadership also means knowing how to serve and support others. During my internship at Abilities, I worked in business communications, helping students—many of whom had disabilities—write resumes and cover letters. I saw how many of them underestimated themselves, so I took the time to listen to their stories and highlight their strengths. I guided them with encouragement and helped them see their value—not just on paper, but in real life. That experience showed me that leadership can be quiet and personal; it's often about being a source of reassurance and confidence for others.
Through these experiences, I’ve come to realize that I want to become both a therapist and an activist. I want to build safe, affirming spaces where people feel free to share their stories without fear or shame. I know therapy can carry stigma, especially in marginalized communities, so I plan to approach it from a place of cultural understanding and genuine empathy.
As a leader, I aim to uplift others through advocacy, listening, and storytelling. Whether I’m writing a blog post or helping someone believe in their potential, my leadership is rooted in love, truth, and the belief that every voice matters.
✅ Essay 2 (Proudest Achievement – Expanded Version, 349 words)
One of my proudest achievements is working with the Safeena Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with disabilities. At Safeena, I work closely with students and families to help them access resources like individualized education plans (IEPs), accommodations, and community services. I help bridge the gap between what students need and what the system often fails to provide.
This work is deeply personal. As someone who lives with a disability, I’ve faced moments where I felt misunderstood or overlooked. I’ve channeled those experiences into advocacy—not just for myself, but for others who are struggling to be heard. I approach every client with empathy, and I help them advocate for themselves with courage and pride.
One challenge I’ve seen repeatedly is how often young people with disabilities are discouraged from expressing themselves. That’s why I always ask my clients: What makes you feel alive? What brings you peace? I encourage them to find outlets—like art, music, or writing—that help them tell their stories.
This ties into my proudest personal accomplishment: creating The Shining Star, a blog that has become a global platform for advocacy. Through writing, I explore complex topics like educational inequality, gender roles, Syrian displacement, and cultural identity. My posts have reached readers in the U.S., Poland, India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France, Kuwait, and the Philippines. Each comment, message, or share is a reminder that my words matter—and that someone out there feels seen because of them.
My biggest obstacle wasn’t external—it was internal. For years, I doubted that my voice could make a difference. But working at Safeena, seeing the strength of my clients, and watching my blog grow helped me realize that my voice is a source of power, not weakness. I’m proud to be an advocate, a writer, and a social worker. I know now that even small actions—listening, writing, supporting—can lead to big changes.
✅ Essay 3 (Disability Issue & Solutions – Expanded Version, 350 words)
Malcolm X once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” But for students with disabilities, that passport is often denied. Despite protections like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students with disabilities still face systemic barriers in accessing quality education.
Only 65% of students with disabilities graduate high school, compared to 86% of their peers. Many are placed into inappropriate educational tracks or separated from their peers rather than being supported in inclusive environments. Instead of recognizing students for their strengths, the system often focuses on deficits—especially through assessments like Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA), which prioritize behavioral challenges over academic potential and emotional growth.
This is a serious problem. Behavior doesn't tell the full story. A student struggling with behavior might actually be gifted or have unrecognized learning styles. But if we don't ask the right questions or look deeper, we fail to meet their needs.
A more just and effective solution begins with early and holistic observation. All students—not just those visibly struggling—should be observed over time using academic data, social-emotional check-ins, and input from diverse educators. This proactive model can prevent misdiagnosis and catch learning differences early, before they become crises.
We also need more inclusive classroom environments. Rather than removing students from general education settings, we should adapt those settings with accommodations, differentiated instruction, and co-teaching strategies. Students with disabilities benefit from learning alongside their peers—and their peers benefit too, developing empathy, patience, and teamwork.
Finally, we must promote student voice. Students with disabilities should be active participants in decisions about their education. They deserve to understand their rights and have a say in their IEP meetings, goals, and accommodations.
As a future social worker and disability advocate, I will push for these changes at every level. Education should not be a privilege—it should be a promise kept to all students, regardless of ability. Real inclusion means honoring the unique gifts and challenges each student brings to the
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