Attending high school is full of excitement, but sometimes it takes courage to join the fun.
Walking into my first day of high school was scary, surrounded by many faces that I didn’t know. It was a brand new phase of life and honestly I didn’t know what it was gonna throw at me. I was scared and alone, but my dad reminded me that this is the place where you find out who you are. Teachers would encourage me to go to the football games, volleyball matches, or to even join the student council, or to join a club. As a freshman I thought those activities had been silly so I ignored them. I was unsure of myself and thought getting involved would expose me to more judgment.
Although I had many friends, I was still seen to be quiet and shy, often labeled as the “church kid” or “innocent kid.” These names had weighed hard on me making it hard for me to feel like myself. I had an extremely close group of friends from gymnastics, but they were either younger or they had graduated, leaving me to feel all alone in school. Unlike many others who made friends through sports, clubs and classes, I had struggled to connect. Watching all the kids form bonds in the hallways while I had remained on the sidelines was disheartening.
Freshman year I felt like an outcast. I didn’t participate in school sports or attend the games, and the few friends I had weren’t a part of the school spirit either. I did rekindle with a girl from my past in one class, which made school a little more bearable, but she too was not involved in the school spirit. It constantly felt like I was on the outside looking in and trying to find somewhere to fit in.
Teachers would mention school events which you could attend, but their encouragement often felt half-hearted. Sophomore year, I was still uninvolved, only managing to speak with a few classmates in class without forming deeper connections. I continued to struggle with being myself, feeling like I was going through the school year without a purpose.
I saw familiar faces in the crowd in the hallways, and instead of feeling invisible, I felt a part of something larger.
At the beginning of sophomore year, I decided that I wanted to focus on myself and not the labels others had put on me. I was encouraged by some gymnastics friends and I invited them to a Central football game, hoping to step a little bit out of my comfort zone. I expected to feel shy and reserved but the experience surprised me.
That night had been a turning point for me. I saw familiar faces in the crowd from the hallways, and instead of feeling invisible, I felt a part of something larger. I cheered for my team, and could for once say I was proud to be a Cobbler. Conversation flowed so easily and laughter was shared. I slowly learned that there are people out there who are nice and kind. They shared stories about their life and I shared mine which made me feel less alone.
From this point on I began to embrace every new opportunity that was presented to me. I joined the HOSA club. I am a part of Cobbler to Cobbler, in which I go and help out and grow a bond with the new freshmen, the freshmen who are like me when I was their age: scared, shy and not associated with the school. I started attending more school events while I slowly let go of my past. My confidence grew as I formed friendships and realized I could be both the “church kid” and someone who enjoyed the excitement of high school.
By the time I reached my junior year, I had transformed from the quiet, reserved freshman to one who was actively participating in school life. I had become friends with classmates I had once seen as strangers and learned the value of stepping outside of my comfort zone. My dad was really right about high school. It’s the time where you find yourself, and it’s not all about having to fit in.
I learned that high school is a complex painting of experiences and emotions. It’s a place where growth happens, where friendships blossom, and where each person has the opportunity to carve out their own unique identity. I came to understand that the journey is not always easy, but it is worth going for the ride, filled with moments of connection and self discovery.
ONCE A COBBLER ALWAYS A COBBLER
The Pine Needle 