The Power of Confidence by Amelia

The Power of Confidence by Amelia - November 2013 Scholarship Essay

High school was definitely one of the most emotional, challenging, and liberating experiences of my life. It was where I made lifelong friends (and lost some), where I developed deeper relationships with teachers I never thought were possible, and where I developed interests in careers in science that solidified my childhood dreams and wants of pursuing an education towards becoming a medical doctor. But most importantly, it was where I learned one of the most valuable lessons in life: Have confidence in yourself and your abilities, and you can do anything in life.

Prior to high school, I had always been an outcast. I could never seem to find a way to relate to my peers. When instructed by teachers to engage in conversation with those around me, I was always at a loss for words. My lack of confidence prevented me from participating in normal childhood activities, like playing hide-and-seek, and tag with friends. Even making friends was difficult.

My lack of confidence resulted from being bullied. The children around me would call me horrible names like “pig” and “cow” for being mildly overweight. With that came the notion from my peers that I wasn’t as smart as them and that I would never be able to make friends because I was, in their exact words, “stupid”.

Growing up with this idea in my mind at all times, I put in much less effort than I was capable of in school. My lack of effort showed in my grades (which were never higher than a C average). The idea of me being “stupid” also caused me to gravitate towards building relationships with kids who lived hard lives. Being friends with these individuals caused me to participate in activities that got me in trouble more than anything in school.

When I moved away, I had just finished up my last year of middle school and was now ready to begin high school. I was happy to have been given an opportunity to start over, make new friends, and go about pursuing the things I had wanted to do without the negative influence of my peers I had been with since elementary school.

My first day of high school came much faster than I expected it to. Although I still lacked some confidence in myself, I continued to think optimistically about my new future in school. One of the first major steps I took to breaking out of my comfort zone was joining the softball team.

Joining the team was definitely one of the best things I did. In it, I actually made friends, people who supported me and complimented me on my skill. This new support system lead me to try harder in school and participate in other clubs like Key Club and the school’s choir. I remember competing with my friends on who could get the highest grade on a test.

This same level of confidence allowed me to try things I thought I could never do well in, like compete in the school’s science fair. I wanted to see if using the sugar from weeds indigenous to New Mexico could be used to lower the production cost of algae-based biofuel. After getting help from teachers and my parents, I was able to successfully present my project to a panel of judges, winning first place in the biology category. I then continued on to win first place in the regional science fair, third place at the state science fair, and honorable mention at an international science fair known as ISW(EEE)P, a science fair dedicated to showcasing projects concerning world sustainability.

These successes boosted my level of confidence so much that I feel the same today as I did 4 years ago when they took place. My confidence allowed me to try and continue to try new things. I believe that I can and will be able to accomplish my goal to become a doctor because of it.

Who was once labeled as “stupid” is now an incredibly confident and intelligent young woman who strives for nothing more but success. My experiences in high school are responsible for that, that I can do anything I set my heart on- that anyone can do anything if they believe in themselves.

Don’t ever give up on yourself.