The Leader of the Pack scholarship and award recognizes two students who make outstanding contributions to N.C . State in the areas of leadership, scholarship and community service, according to the University’s Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service.

The finalists for the award are selected based on GPA, personal interviews, the extracurricular activities they are involved in, essays on their leadership and service experience and finally a vote from the student body.

The student body will vote for the six finalists Monday and Tuesday, with polls capped at 11:59 p.m .

The cumulative score from all phases of the application process determines winners of the award.

Every year at the Homecoming football game the winners are announced.

Michelle Phillips, junior in mechanical engineering

Phillips said what makes her stand out most amongst other candidates is her “thought leader” mentality and her ability to initiate change for the better.

“A thought leader to me is someone who is always making the connections between all the activities they do.”

Phillips said she feels leadership and service are completely intertwined.

Phillips said her ability to work on a team and help it successfully reach its goals will aid her if she were to win.

“I think I possess the leadership trait of a teacher or mentor role, in that I want to help everyone that I can succeed.”

University advancement is one of her goals if she were to win the award.

“To me, the Leader of the Pack is someone who is all about the University progress. It needs to be someone who is willing to look at where we are, where we want to be, and help us get there.”

Alan Sheridan, senior in computer science

Sheridan said he likes to be fun and spontaneous.  He said his courage to take risks and challenges head on is what makes him unique from other candidates.

Sheridan said his passion for everything he is involved in and his commitment to community service is what qualifies him for the title of Leader of the Pack.

“Whenever I’m leading I’m operating as a servant to the people I’m leading. I want to enable others to act and inspire a vision for the group and lead on the basis of that.”

Sheridan said his inspiration to run for Leader of the Pack came from learning about the award through his activities on campus as well as admiration of former pack leader and friend Sam Dennis, senior in biological sciences.

He said one of his goals is to make the world better place for generations to come.

“I want to be sure to leave the world a better place than where it started.”

Melissa Johnson, sophomore in meteorology

Johnson said her leadership experiences and her involvement in Air Force ROTC make her stand out.

She said she lives her life by the three Air Force core values.

“Integrity first, service before self and striving for excellence in everything that you do [is our motto],” Johnson said.

Johnson feels she is qualified to be Leader of the Pack because of what she has gained from her experiences as a military cadet and as a Wood Hall resident adviser.

She said she’s gained the ability to take care of people and learn what they need to be successful from her leadership activities.

“I like being a part of something that is bigger than myself,” Johnson said.

She said that even though people may not remember her name as “Leader of the Pack” in the future, she wants to leave a lasting impact.

“If I can make a difference in somebody’s life, no matter how small, maybe one day it will turn into a big difference.”

Ian Thomas Hill, senior in polymer and color chemistry

Hill said the fact he likes to have fun in everything he does and his positive attitude makes him different from other candidates.

“Successful Leaders of the Pack not only do well in academics, but have a genuine interest in helping people both inside and out of the classroom,” Hill said.

Hill said his well-roundedness, commitment to community service, leadership skills and ability to engage and work well with people makes him qualified for the title.

One of his passions is global public health. He is involved in Global Health Initiatives at N.C . State and helps organize global health case competitions on campus and with other universities.

Hill said the award has been a great way so far to reflect on the work he has done and will push him to work more.

“You don’t instill complacency by honoring people. It would inspire me to do more work,” Hill said.

Mary Pat Bulfin , junior in biological sciences

Bulfin said she strives to create relationships and create a sense of community with whatever she does.

Bulfin said she is qualified to be Leader of the Pack because the title is an opportunity to share gratitude to the people in her life who have made her who she is.

“My N.C . State family has provided me with unparalleled opportunities to grow as an individual and realize how I am best supposed to serve others,” Bulfin said.

She said she is passionate about all she does and above all else she strives to serve people and build a community wherever she is.

“It’s about being a representative for something so much bigger than yourself.”

She hopes to use the recognition of the title to take advantage of the opportunities to meet more students and make a stronger impact on campus, through her research and involvement in the Leadership in Action program.

John Turner, senior in mechanical engineering

Turner said his experiences, his initiative and interest in working in a community reflect the qualities of Leader of the Pack.

Service to other people is something he has been passionate about during his time here at State.

He has participated in several Alternative Service Break trips and has student-led two of them.

He said he has a mentor or teacher style of leadership.

“I believe that everyone, given access to the right resources and training, can be incredibly capable and creative,” he said.

Turner said the title is more about empowering equals than it is about a formal leadership, which the community setting of college helped him to see.

“The recognition from the University and the students would be helpful in helping to grow [my student organization] Open Hardware Makerspace and some of the service activities and other things that I am involved in.”