One of this year’s student leaders, Ruby Vidgen, has a keen interest in politics and a keener interest in people. She鈥檚 Year 13 at Nayland, and yet her skills in coordinating, communicating and leading others surpass many of those much older than her.
Ruby鈥檚 a member of the Model UN, Model Heads of Commonwealth, the Nayland Environment Sustainability Team (NEST), and the Circuit Journalism club. She also takes part in several community councils and boards. On top of schooling, this would be a heavy workload for anyone. But Ruby enjoys every minute of it. 鈥淪ometimes I leave things to the last minute 鈥� but ya know, pressure makes diamonds, that鈥檚 my favourite quote,鈥� she joked.
Issues such as gender equity, climate change and mental health especially hit home for the young activist. She spends a lot of her own time trying to bring about change and make her voice heard. 鈥淚 think I have a very strong sense of justice,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have a lot of trouble with just sitting back and saying 鈥榦h I hate that that鈥檚 happening 鈥� oh well.鈥欌��
Leadership comes naturally to Ruby, but she鈥檚 found that leading for the sake of being a leader simply never works. 鈥淚 feel that the best kind of leadership is the kind where you lead from the inside,鈥� she said. 鈥淲here no one even knows that you鈥檙e leading. When it鈥檚 not about a role you鈥檙e playing or a title you鈥檙e given, it鈥檚 just about progress.鈥�
鈥淪o many people do things for a photo in the newspaper, or to be holding the megaphone at a march,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd you need those people, but it鈥檚 important to know that your intentions are in the right place.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e figured out that people respect you more if you stick by your beliefs than if you just drop everything and agree with them.鈥�
For Ruby, persistence is her greatest weapon when it comes to creating positive change. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know that it鈥檚 a good thing, that I can鈥檛 get told no, but it鈥檚 worked for me so far,鈥� she laughed. Building strong relationships is also incredibly important. 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely a people person,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 really like sitting down and emailing people, I鈥檇 much prefer to go talk to them in person.鈥�
Ruby firmly believes that a simple conversation can go far in mending conflict around tricky topics, and can develop shared understanding in its place. She stays true to her own opinions and ideas, but always strives to make sure she listens to what鈥檚 behind the views of other people.
鈥淭he minute you start getting caught in your little bubble filled with people who have the same opinion as you, that鈥檚 basically your own death 鈥� you’re not learning.鈥�
By Student Journalist Maya Jayasena
