For most students, rallies are a chance to skip third period, sit with friends, and to occasionally participate half-heartedly. However, for senior Mackenzie Cabral, rallies hold a different meaning entirely. With her role as ASB president rallies are fast-paced and typically a test of confidence and Cabral’s schedule is anything but easy. Her mornings begin at CTEC in a nursing assistant program, where she is participating in hands-on work taking care of residents at a nursing facility. By the time she gets to school the rally is already beginning, not giving her any time to pause. “I have to rush, quickly change, and just read the script as I go,” said Cabral. “I don’t really have time to look over it beforehand,” she states as she explains her hectic schedule most students don’t see.
Looking from an outsider’s perspective, ASB might seem easy and simple, but many don’t realize that confidence doesn’t always come easily. “I was nervous about it,” Cabral admits when thinking back on her decision to run for president. “I thought it would be a really big responsibility like it might be too much.” said Cabral. Nonetheless, she still ran and won. Cabral’s experience in leadership is not just from this year. It started five years ago, when she joined ASB in the eighth grade. After that, she has worked her way up in ASB; Freshman class representative, sophomore class secretary, junior co-president, and now senior ASB president. Each position built on the last. “One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that I can’t do everything by myself,” Cabral said. “I have to include other people and let them help me.” That lesson is easier said than done for Cabral, but it became one of her most important takeaways from ASB. “Depsite the pressure of having to plan and set up, I just wanted to bring more school spirit,” she states.
Outside of leadership, Cabral’s path tells a different story, one rooted in care and compassion. Spending two years in a health program, she has worked both in a nursing facility and hospital, expanding her knowledge on real-world patient care. “We take care of resident’s, help them get ready, give showers, just be there for them,” Cabral explained.
It ‘s demanding and empathic work, but her experience as an intern confirmed her future path. After graduation, Cabral plans on attending Cal State Bakersfield and pursuing a pre-health major before going into a nursing program. “I’m just really passionate about helping people,” she said. Although she describes her answer to be “basic”, her actions say otherwise. Balancing academics, leadership, and medical training is anything but simple. Cabral continues to remain honest about the difficulties that come with leadership. “It’s really embarrassing sometimes,”Cabral mentions with a laugh. “You’re up there doing things, and people don’t respond, or they tell you it sucked.” But, instead of letting criticism bring her down, she learned to not take it to heart. “You just can’t take people’s opinions personally,” she said. “Everyone complains, but you have to keep going,” Cabral states.
Cabral hopes the underclassmen carry the mindset she had as ASB president into their positions for the next year. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” Cabral explains. “Even if it’s embarrassing.” She also shared a piece of advice in her interview that has stuck with her throughout her time in ASB, “If someone tells you no, you’re talking to the wrong person.” This statement is from businesswoman Kris Jenner, a bold statement but a reflection of what it takes to lead. Cabral does not plan on taking any leadership roles while in college, but her impact through traditions, rallies, and the example she set surely will remain part of Ridgeview High School after she graduates.
