Be True to Who You Are by Ashari

Be True to Who You Are by Ashari - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

Looking back on my journey as a military child, I’ve learned countless lessons through perseverance, failure, and growth. Constantly adjusting to new environments and meeting unfamiliar faces every few years pushed me to reinvent myself—often becoming quieter and more reserved with each move. Over time, this pattern led me to believe that who I was simply wasn’t enough. I felt pressured to change, to hide parts of myself just to fit in. If I could offer one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be this: let your walls down and be unapologetically yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable. The truth is, authenticity attracts the right people—and one day, you'll find a circle that embraces and values you just as you are.

Adolescents face many adversities and challenges in their lives, a big one being who they are versus who they should be. Being African American and moving around the world, I became friends with different groups of people with distinct personalities and ethnicities, never really putting a focus on stereotypes and the like. Starting in middle school though, I was given the impression that I wasn’t “black enough” due to who I hung out with and my personality being more modest and reserved. This left me feeling self-conscious about my appearance and character, resulting in my younger self always comparing herself to others and resenting who she was. It wasn’t until I reached college that I had the sudden epiphany that all that time worrying about how others perceived me was for nothing, especially since those same people I tried to change for were never seen again. Years were wasted hiding behind a persona that wasn’t me just to be seen as normal by my peers. If I could elaborate on my guidance to my juvenile self, I would tell her that one day, you’ll see that none of it mattered and being true to yourself is what will matter most.

As I begin this new school year at the University of Tampa, I’m committed to embracing my past and accepting myself fully, so I can connect with like-minded individuals and make the most of the college experience-especially dorm life. I will continue moving forward without self-doubt barricading me, breaking through any barriers that challenge my authority. Reflecting on my journey, I now understand that self-acceptance is the most powerful gift I could have given my younger self.