No Longer Being Afraid of No by Kamiah

No Longer Being Afraid of No by Kamiah - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

A big thing that was intimidating for me was talking to people. Even as a kid I wasn't a social kid so as I got older that stayed the same and when it came to talking to others I just couldn't do it. At the start of high school I was really shy especially when I didn't feel comfortable. I thought that if I tried to make friends or just speak to someone that they would either not care or just flat out reject me. Being scared is what held me back and I lost the chance to actually get to know people. I was used to being that quiet kid so avoiding people so that I wouldn't get hurt seemed like the best plan. If someone rejected me I would feel like it's a me thing so I just stopped trying to start conversations or put myself out there. I was alone for the beginning of my high school years because of this and how I chose to stay quiet instead of them going through that embarrassing experience. The switch happened when I transferred schools my second time. I just wanted something new and so I reinvented myself. I realized that if someone doesn't want to talk it's okay. Rejection is normal for a reason because everyone goes through it. The worst thing a person can tell you is "no", and that small word shouldn't hold me back from being myself. My teachers who I built relationships with also liked to tell me that by being in my shell I would miss out on things because of my fear and it would only hold me back in life. I eventually grew into my social mode. I enjoy talking to everyone, I make sure I introduce myself and meet people I haven't before. Overall I just think I became more confident and once you have that confidence your brain feels like it can do anything. As I interact with others and have those type of experiences it shows me that no matter good or bad those things help me grow. The best advice. I've received was when someone told me not to take rejection to the heart. Thinking that rejection is something common helps me not focus on it all the time. I am more comfortable with talking to people now. I don't quiet down or hide myself anymore because of the change of rejection. If freshman me seen senior me today they wouldn't believe that we were able to grow and come out of that shell.