Zion Amerson '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Zion Amerson, and leadership has been a trait that I had to learn. I consider my-self as a shy person by nature and initially was more of an observer than the individual that was out in front. However, I often found myself in positions, where others looked to me for direction, which caused me to step into leadership roles. My first leadership position was teaching a children’s wrestling class at my school. This was a challenge for me initially because it caused me to take a deeper look at what a leadership was and the responsibilities that come along with this role. I realized that my role as a  leader had to be inclusive and address the diverse backgrounds of the children under my tutelage. It was exciting to see that despite their various abilities, each of the children looked at me as the person who would help them reach their goals as a wrestler. This changed my perspective of leadership and the responsibility that I had, not only as a leader but being the best version of myself to help those I was charged with. I have also supported myself financially by working part time as a bagger at a local market. Baggers work for tips, and more often than not there is competition for the most tips. The baggers at the market range from young to elderly, and competition for tips can be unequitable. My goal has been to be a role model so that there is equity among the diverse population of the baggers. I made efforts ensure there was inclusion of the elderly workers who have to compete with the younger workers to earn a fair number of tips. My efforts were not overt but leading by example. My leadership approach was holistic that others followed my lead without resistance. This change was lasting and amplified the tenets of a system that was in place. This revealed another facet of leadership which good intentions, honest efforts, and care for others are the greatest attributes to make a positive influence on others.  

My greatest talent is my ability to establish rapport quickly with others. My dad was a Navy Officer, so my family and I moved around more than the average family. Frequent moves afforded me the opportunity to be acquainted with new people every 2.5 to 3 years. More often than not a move would put me in the middle of a school year. This often meant  I would come into school settings where social networks were already established. Being able to gain rapport had become almost a survival skill set if I was to make friends. I attended a private school after my father retired from the Navy. It was an all-boy school and as part of my indoctrination, I was assigned to a current student who took me around the school for the day. Being of mixed African and Asian ancestry it was initially difficult for me to determine where I fit in when I was younger. I learned vicariously, that determining commonalities that we all share was a key in establishing relationships. When common traits can be identified in the presence of perceived differences, one can be a Chamaeleon and find themselves among friends even in a new environment. Being able to establish a rapport has helped me bridge cultural gaps in both of my ethnic communities. I am often queried about my ethnicity, and it affords me an opportunity to share my background, which usually results in establishing a lasting relationship. I do not sing and am not the best dancer, but I feel my greatest talent is being able to gain rapport and make life-time friends.