Rising Up by Alina

Rising Up by Alina - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

Describe a moment when you discovered a new strength in yourself and how it influenced your growth?

I was in fourth grade when I got assigned my very first project with a group. We had to build our own board game with supplies around the classroom. When it was time to come up with ideas and get to building, I was only hit with silence, as nobody said anything or gave out ideas. So, I took it upon myself to play the role as their "leader." I was quite shy, and have never put myself out there, but this was my time to get out of my comfort zone. I spoke up and started giving out ideas that my team can choose from, and from there, I was assigning jobs that each person should complete. I never knew I had that in me to rise to the occasion and be a natural leader.

From that moment forward, it became more of a habit for me to volunteer myself for any situation where leading deemed needed, such as in other group projects or even in sports. For example, I play volleyball, and if you've never played competitively, coaches always ask or look for someone to step up and help cheer the team on. Another key thing in volleyball is that if one player is feeling down, it can affects how the whole team plays, so that is why it's vital for someone on the court to keep the energy high. After every point, whether we gain or lose it, I cheer my team on and encourage my teammates to keep fighting. If someone messes up, I go to them and tell them they got the next point. If someone gets a great pass or kill, I make sure they feel appreciated. It these little things that I do that can really affect the mood of the team.

Apart from volleyball and group projects, discovering my natural strength of leadership has influenced my outlook on life. I have grown to be a more charismatic person and start looking at the glass half full. Additionally, I've grown to improve my communication skills, gain more empathy, and build integrity. I began focusing on lifting others up and working towards a common goal together because that is what leadership is all about. It has ultimately shaped me into the person I am today and will continue to guide me to a bright future.