You don't have to be popular to make an impact. by Lauren

You don't have to be popular to make an impact. by Lauren - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

I have grown to love my high school for the opportunities it has provided me, but the biggest impact on my high school career was the classmates I met and the friends I made. I learned through these relationships that I thrive in school when I have someone to relate and talk to. Without those people in my life, I believe I wouldn't have had the same positive high school experience.
Similar to other freshman entering high school, I was extremely influenced to fit in due to the expectations that were set by movies and television. To do my best in the social arena, I decided to involve myself in everything I could to make the most friends. I participated in swimming, marching band, concert band, and technical theater throughout my high school career. I thought this would be the best way to be popular, but I ended up continuing in these activities for one reason- because I fell in love with them. The competitiveness of swimming challenged my physical capabilities, marching and concert band filled my life with music, and technical theater helped me discover worth in a large musical production. I didn't think it could get any better than this, however I was able realize my impact on the lives of my teammates and classmates- I am a positive influence on others.
I don't enjoy gossip so I don't spread it, I don't partake in disrespectful behavior and I don't like to do bully my classmates to fuel my ego. Instead, I am a friend that shuts down rumors, is respectful, and helps others when they are down. I am a role model for underclassmen, and I believe that the only reason I made friends was because I was a person that my classmates wanted to come to for advice and someone to talk to.
We need more people that are willing to be a little unpopular, to encourage good behavior. High school was made memorable to me because of these people that were willing to put aside popularity to groom underclassmen like me to be kind and respectful. I can only hope that I did my part to impact others' lives just enough that they find the inspiration to impact their classmates' lives.