It Takes A Village by Amethyst

It Takes A Village by Amethyst - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

It takes a village to raise a child.” I was lucky to experience that kind of village growing up, but I’ve realized the same idea applies to adults too. It takes a village to thrive. Being part of a village means lending a helping hand, caring for one another, and most importantly, showing up. Yet showing up often feels like the hardest part.

For a long time, I found showing up for others intimidating in ways I didn’t fully understand whether it was thinking about time, money, energy and introversion. We live in a time where the world can feel built for isolation, from highway infrastructure that keeps people apart to the instant gratification of the internet replacing genuine connection. Spending time together can start to feel like a chore of scheduling calendars or spending money just to justify being around one another.

Because of this I often treated plans with less respect. It was easy to cancel through a text, show up late because of traffic or convince myself that I wouldn't enjoy the gathering. Social connections began feeling more draining than enjoyable but not every interaction is meant to be fun. Realizing that community does not form on convenience and fun but rather on effort and presence made me hold a new respect for plans and community formed through them.

“Half the battle is showing up” became a mindset I started applying to my life. Instead of focusing on whether I felt tired, busy, or anxious, I began reminding myself that the hardest part was simply getting there. The more I showed up for people, the more connected I felt to them. Conversations became easier, bonds grew stronger and community stopped feeling like an obligation and started feeling like a place where I belonged.

What once felt intimidating now feels manageable because I no longer see showing up as a task to complete, but as an investment in the people, energy and place I love. I’ve learned that thriving is not something people do alone. Personal and communal growth does not only come from independence, but from learning how to be present, dependable, and connected to others. By choosing to show up for my village, I’ve also become more present in my own life.