Turning Stories into Inspiration by Kaleigh

Turning Stories into Inspiration by Kaleigh - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

Stories have been a major part of my life ever since I was a child. They helped mold my imagination, comforted me during the hard times, and were the building blocks to gaining my confidence back. Without books and stories, I would not be where I am today. That impact has inspired me to take my imagination and create stories that I hope will one day impact others the way they have impacted me. This is why I have chosen to major in English with a concentration in Creative Writing.
When I was in elementary school, I started going through changes that would impact me in a negative way. My emotions got the best of me because my brain convinced me that no one liked me, so I started to withdraw and become more shy, which was the opposite of how outgoing I was before that. When I felt alone, I would turn to the books that resided on my bookshelf or that I had picked up from the library. When I was reading, I would practically insert myself into these stories, making a place where I felt like I belonged. This sparked my love of writing even more. My iPhone notes app began to be filled with stories that myself and one of my best friends would write together. Not only did my writing skills begin to develop, but I also started to pick up the traits that I would read about. This was very beneficial to me because I began to regrow my confidence and I was more willing to be outgoing.
High School was a reflection of the hard work I put in to be the person that I wanted to be. As the years went on, I grew more confident in my personal and academic life. I took more chances and became a part of many different communities that I value very much. I worked on my social skills and my fear of speaking to others by taking a public speaking class. I wanted to run for an officer position for one of my clubs but I was required to give a speech and speaking in front of a crowd made me anxious. Taking this class was a way to prepare myself for that. I took the chance, and became the Secretary of my school’s Beta Club. This year, I joined as an Intern at a local nonprofit called “The Teen Scene.” Not only did I practice writing about community events, but I also practiced speaking when we recorded videos in a reporter-like fashion. I believe that these events prepared me for following my dreams in a more successful way when I go to college.
This fall I am heading to NC State University to major in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences showed me the potential for success when I visited the campus for Admitted Students day. These opportunities will help me achieve my dreams of becoming an Author and sharing my stories with the world. I hope my time in Raleigh will provide me with an impactful academic experience, connections through research and internships, and a fun college experience exploring the city with my friends. My ultimate goal is to be able to change someone's life the same way that mine was changed and leave a lasting impact.