Building Belonging by Shanice

Building Belonging by Shanice - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

As this upcoming school year approaches quickly, I look at this event as a new start to be fulfilled with new experiences, opportunities, and community to help make an impact on others. One of my main goals is to become more involved, not just on campus but within any space I am in. I want to join more organizations, make new friends, and create an environment to help everyone feel welcome.

My first semester taught me many lessons about utilizing support given and the value of having a community that actually helps make you better as a person. I didn’t have that as I entered my first semester. I felt alone and disconnected from the very campus that I chose to attend. It was as if I was surrounded by so many people, yet I was invisible. I didn't have friends and I fell into a trap of sadness, anxiety and overall loneliness. I struggled silently with my mental and physical health. I have a condition called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis which created symptoms that worsened as I got on campus. I felt hopeless being so far from home and not having the physical support of my family and friends. It was hard to feel motivated when I felt alone in everything I was dealing with.

This year, I want to make a complete turn-around. I want to be social, active and open to new experiences. Whether I start volunteering on campus, join a student organization, or even something small like talking to a new person to make friends, I want to push myself out of my comfort zone. Being involved in something I’m passionate about will not only help me grow, but also allow me to be supportive of others who may have been desiring that sense of involvement and support.

Because of my own experiences, I’ve been motivated to achieve this goal of making a positive impact by building participation in organizations that could open doors for anyone. I’ve always had a desire to give back to others, but sometimes it can feel difficult navigating how to do that. I’ve realized that simple acts based on individuality can actually build team work for bigger goals. My motivation comes from that desire to create the kind of space I wish I had at the beginning of the school year. I wouldn’t want anyone else carrying that same weight alone. If I can be the person to reach out, advocate, and encourage people to come out of that shell, then I want to do that.

As I approach this new year with excitement, I not only aim for personal growth, but being alongside others to help one another. In the end, it’s about making my community more personal and helping every individual possible to take on new experiences feeling important, seen, and heard. I’m happy to announce that I have already begun taking steps to achieve these aspirations as I have decided to move in early and be a part of what my school calls Goon Squad to help the freshman move in and be welcomed onto campus. This also includes participating in freshman events such as the Welcome Fete to introduce new students to organizations available to them on campus.