Learning to stand on my own by Daire

Learning to stand on my own by Daire - February 2026 Scholarship Essay

Daire T.
2/14/26
A big issue I faced within the last few years was the struggle of attending a predominantly white school as a young Black male. I always had trouble figuring out where I fit in or what crowd I belonged to. I never really found one solid friend group.
When I tried to hang with the White boys, they always found a way to make a joke about the color of my skin, no matter how immature or “just kidding” it sounded. But when I tried to hang out with people who looked like me, many of them were focused on acting “gang” or “hood,” doing things my mom always taught me to stay away from. I wanted a group that I could relate to, and be focused on their futures and education. I didn’t find that balance, so most of the time, I just stuck to myself. Honestly that has been the greatest habit I’ve taken up over the last few years that has boosted my grades and education as well as my circle of people I keep around.
At first, it made me feel alone. Walking through the halls, it seemed like everyone had someone except me. But over time, I started to see it differently. Keeping to myself gave me time to think — not just about who I was, but who I wanted to be. I started realizing that maybe I didn’t need a group to define me. Being alone helped me learn to stand on my own two feet, to think independently, and to be confident in my own decisions.
Not having the “perfect company” around built me into someone who doesn’t depend on others for motivation or direction. It taught me how to stay aware of what I can do better and how I can keep improving. Even when no one’s watching, I’m thinking about what’s next — what skill I can work on, what I can study, or how I can prepare for my future.