Claire Szalvay 2026 Scholarship Essay by Claire

Claire Szalvay 2026 Scholarship Essay by Claire - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

Introversion often feels reminiscent of being a dancer onstage. With dramatic movements and expressive body language, the lack of word flow is presented in alternative forms of communication. I strongly identify as an introvert. I can’t wait to take the opportunity to convey the words that wish to escape my mouth. I have been told that my words do not come naturally to my voice. Rather than expressing myself through volume, I have been told that I showcase overly dramatic facial expressions. My yearning for my desire to speak up for myself is all-consuming. As a result, my attempts to speak through the bustling crowds of school hallways and classrooms become drowned out by the echoing voices surrounding me. The surrounding sounds dissolve anything I have left to say into nothing but background music. My silence speaks volumes, but the strident opinions of others around me drown it out.
Introversion is a trait I’ve struggled with since I was young. I held my tongue while being introduced to teachers for the first time, anxiety enveloping me as the fear of saying the wrong sentence overtook my mind. The worries and stress of slipping up and tripping over my own words formed an all-consuming shell that surrounded me, encapsulating my words that were never spoken. The reluctance of my words prompted overly expressive facial expressions. From laughter to anger, individuals in the room I entered rarely wondered what emotion I was truly feeling. My teacher later suggested that I begin participating in a form of theatrical activity to channel my dramatic and over-the-top reactions. I first began dancing at the age of five, and I was able to find a channel for my emotions alongside a way to have my voice without speaking. The feeling of performing on a stage gave me permission to channel a range of emotions in front of a crowd without fear of stumbling over my words or phrases. The expression of movement in my body helped create fluidity within my thoughts and an ease within my mind.
Throughout the years, competition dance has not only acquired a sense of freedom and self-expression but also a stronger emotional connection to those around me. The feeling of extroversion has allowed me to flourish in forming emotional connections with my teammates. I have been fortunate enough to experience both success and failure alongside my dance group. The emotional connection formed within the team sparked contagious positive energy, while a more profound sense of understanding and effective communication took place. Social interactions sparked alternative forms of thinking and evolved into accepting social interaction for my own betterment. The deepened bonds I shared with my teammates allowed me to develop social skills, enabling me to communicate effectively with others outside of dance, and to realize a new sense of extroversion.
Waiting in the wings before performing has become an experience that is not unfamiliar to me. The minute the music fades from the stage with the previous dancer’s song, it is my turn to envelop my surroundings with an echoing chamber of movement to illustrate my words. The ability to break through feelings of silence has allowed me to own a personality I have grown to love and nourish, rather than shunning myself for self-expression. I strive to use extroversion to form bonds with individuals around me, as well as utilize communication for potential job pathways in my future career. Becoming an extrovert has taught me the drive of leading, learning, and listening to any voice in a room with confidence. My extroversion isn’t simply how I express myself- it’s how I find my voice.