Small Human Gestures Matter by Eshita

Eshita's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2025 scholarship contest

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Small Human Gestures Matter by Eshita - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

A wine god is often overlooked in Greek mythology, dismissed as powerless beside Zeus, the mighty god of thunder, or Ares, the fierce god of war. Even in the Percy Jackson series, Dionysus is portrayed as a petty and irritable character who seems determined to make life difficult for the half-bloods at Camp Half-Blood. But beneath his brooding temper lie moments of wisdom and lessons worth noticing.
I never particularly liked Dionysus as a character. Not until one of his quotes changed my perspective: “A kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword.” In that line, the god of wine ceased to be just comic relief or a petty annoyance. His words showed what Zeus’ lightning bolt or Ares’ sword wouldn’t: an underappreciated truth about strength. Back when I first read the book, the quote felt heroic, even inspiring, making me appreciate Dionysus for the first time.
But its meaning truly deepened when I became a coach for Girls on the Run. During practice, a girl stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, refusing to run. “I am just not doing this today,” she said quietly as the other girls jogged past her, warming up. I was supposed to get her to run. That was my role. But rather than coaxing or commanding, I made a deliberate choice to meet her where she was. I sat cross-legged next to her in the grass and said nothing. I just waited, giving her space but ready to speak if she wanted to. That day, she didn’t run.
I walked home wondering if I had made a mistake. If my silence had looked like indifference instead of support. I replayed the moment over and over again, pondering if I should have acted differently. Maybe I had failed the one role I was trusted with: to lead, to support, to show up.
But the next practice, she arrived early and gave me a high-five. Yet, she didn’t run.
After a week of high fives, she ran.
At first, I didn’t notice the change, until her shoulders rolled back and her chin lifted. I hadn’t expected that simply listening could bring out her confidence. I thought I had risked letting her down by stepping back, but instead, I made space for her to step forward on her own terms. It showed me that it isn’t about being in front—but it’s about being beside someone until they find their strength. That day continues to remind me that the most meaningful impacts come from small human gestures, changing my perspective on strength and leadership. Even now, I carry Dionysus’s lesson with me: quiet support can be just as powerful as loud direction. And now that's the kind of leadership I try to demonstrate. The one where I show up consistently, listen carefully, and lift others until they believe in themselves.

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