The Courage To Succeed: Finding growth in the front row by Shayla

The Courage To Succeed: Finding growth in the front row by Shayla - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

The Music of Balindo for the Spanish Heritage Month dance began, and as the dance started I realized, I was the only one on the stage wearing green. Being one of the few people in the front, I felt like every eye in the room was on me. For someone like me who doesn’t like presenting in small groups or looking directly in the eyes of strangers, standing in front of all those peers felt more like a death sentence than the normal 5 minutes of fear and nervousness that I forced myself to get used to. Compared to the practicing I did for weeks, being there in that moment made me feel like every move being made was the wrong one. Despite everything going on in my head, I didn’t give up. Instead I focused on the music, and the movements of my classmates in front of me. I knew that they were probably just as nervous as me and because of this I knew I wasn't alone. After a while the feeling that I once had in the beginning transformed into something else; resilience. I realized that even though I was uncomfortable, I still survived through it. When the music finally stopped, the feeling of relief that came over me became the best feeling, not just because the performance was over, but because I faced my biggest fear in spite of me seeming to be the most noticeable thing in the room. Having this experience taught me something important, if you truly want to grow, then in the light is where you truly shine. Realizing this is a stepping stone to the future I want to make. I plan to become a teen therapist, a role requiring me to not only be a leader, but to express the same braveness that I had on that day. Teaching teens to be brave as well no matter the challenges they face is why I continue to step more into the light even in the hardest times.