The Voice I Created by Shaniyah

The Voice I Created by Shaniyah - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

I stood in front of the class, struggling to get words out. It was the second semester of my freshman year in personal communications, and this was my first presentation since middle school. A cold shiver went down my back. The harder I tried to speak, the more my throat clenched. My vision blurred due to water buildup. Without warning, tears ran down my face. That night, I tried to figure out why my emotions were so strong. Then I remembered the voice in my head. It was quiet, but always there. I realized it wasn't how others thought about me, it was how I viewed myself. I had been bullied for years by my own insecurities. I hated it. Instead of giving that voice what it wanted, I decided to fight back.
I started attending tutoring to improve my communication skills and talked more to strangers. For a long time, that voice had convinced me I’d embarrass myself and break down in front of people, but now, whenever I hear that abusive voice, I do small things to calm down, like take deep breaths. I began to stop thinking about what others might think of me and just focus on what I want to say at that moment– one sentence at a time.
The person who was too afraid to show any emotion because of judgment faded away. In her place, a new person was created—someone who can talk to people without hesitation, express her emotions, and isn’t afraid to be herself. When I think about it now, that voice has hurt me so much, but I'm thankful to it because it allowed me to create this new person, who will help me face my future just like another presentation—taking it one sentence, one breath, and one step at a time.