Instrumental music plays in the background, and students work on homework together as junior Amarie Lewis passes out snacks and drinks. Lewis joined Mansfield Youth Council last year and loves helping plan events and study nights for her peers and the community.
“I would encourage anyone around me to come to our study nights because it’s an easy and fun way to stay accountable and do your work,” Lewis said. “I think putting people in a space where they can be productive while also having fun helps foster that important community in the Mansfield area.”
At Legacy, Lewis serves as a member of National Honor Society (NHS) and Science National Honor Society (SNHS), and she leads Black Student Union (BSU) as the treasurer and drill team as the event coordinator.
“I’m very passionate about helping and serving others, so being in NHS and SNHS has helped me, not only connect with others that I probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to, but it has also allowed me the chance to talk with others about topics and interests that we have in common.”
Currently, Lewis and her fellow BSU officers work toward the Black Excellence Gala, which will take place on May 17.
“For any event that I help plan, I make sure to take logistics and everyone’s ideas into account,” Lewis said. “You can never be too prepared, but you should also prepare for some wiggle room. It’s also very important to me that I continue learning from my past events, and how I can make them better.”
At age six, Lewis and her mom joined Jack and Jill, a service organization for Black mothers and their daughters, where they do service projects, host events and a teen conference every June. Through Jack and Jill, Lewis serves as the programming chair for events on the executive committee of teenagers.
“Jack and Jill has allowed me and my mom to spend more time together at various events and service opportunities, where we can connect and bond,” Lewis said. “I love this leadership position because it allows me to share modules with other teens in the chapter and help them have more opportunities to lead and be successful.”
Head Drill Team Director Alexandria Thomas believes Amarie grew as a dancer and leader this year by facing adversities with grace and maturity.
“She was able to understand expectations and have mature conversations with me about any concerns or questions she had about my vision for the Spurs,” Coach Thomas said. “I knew I could always count on her to be honest with me and hold me accountable. She was a great leader, and she represents this team well.”
Coach Thomas believes on top of being a great leader, Lewis highly encourages her peers and teammates.
“She is completely committed to everything she does, and gives 110% to her people,” Coach Thomas said. “I know that I can always count on her to do what she is supposed to be doing at all times.”
Whether it’s through NHS, SNHS, BSU, charity work, Mansfield Youth Council, drill team or throughout her daily life, Lewis believes being a leader will always be challenging, but the reward will be far greater.
“There are going to be days where you don’t want to do anything, and you almost wish you didn’t have that leadership position,” Lewis said. “However, you have a lot of people counting on you, and you can’t just give up and let people down. Plus, it makes the good times so much better when you know you’ve overcome so many obstacles to get where you are.”
