Friendship Is Magic: The Lessons That Shaped My Character by April

Friendship Is Magic: The Lessons That Shaped My Character by April - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic books helped shape how I think about friendship, leadership, and kindness. These stories showed me that real leadership and strength come from empathy, teamwork, and kindness—lessons that guided me even when the stories were written for kids. Twilight Sparkle, in particular, made a big impression on me. From the Crystal Heart Spell to her time in Ponyville, her adventures taught me lessons I still carry with me. Their messages about teamwork, empathy, and personal growth still matter to me now.

Building on those lessons, Twilight Sparkle taught me that leadership is about understanding others, not controlling them. Though she often doubted herself, she showed that good leaders listen and help others succeed. In one story, she learns that trusting her friends' strengths makes the whole team better, a truth I've carried with me. As a student leader, mentor, and intern, I found these lessons to be guiding. Whether I was organizing student events, supporting peers in the Umoja Scholars Program, or managing projects at my Amazon internship, I found that working together and trusting each other led to success, rather than just aiming for perfection.

Furthermore, Twilight and her fellow Mane Six taught me the value of emotional intelligence. Their disagreements showed me that conflict can deepen respect and communication. Because of this, I’ve applied the lesson of balancing leadership and empathy when mentoring or working with diverse teams under pressure.

Most importantly, the lesson that has stayed with me is that kindness is power. In a world where competition often overshadows compassion, Twilight showed that integrity and empathy can truly make a difference. Her journey reminds me of my own, as I keep learning, making mistakes, and growing into a more patient and courageous leader.

These books taught me that real strength comes from humility, friendship, and always trying to do the right thing, even when it is difficult. These lessons have shaped not just how I lead, but also who I want to be. I believe that success is not about standing out alone, but about helping others succeed. As I move forward, I am committed to carrying these values with me, striving to build communities where empathy, kindness, and teamwork define true leadership.