Finding My Circle by Sophie

Finding My Circle by Sophie - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

As I’m sure we’ve all heard, high school is a time of self-discovery and development, but that really couldn’t be more true. Freshman me’s picture of the person I would be in four years time differs drastically from who I actually am. While similarities exist, like my love for soccer, music, and well-written movies, I no longer make my self smaller to fit others perceptions of me. I no longer describe myself as “too much” or “not enough”. Now I recognize the girl in photos. Smiling wide, laughing until her stomach hurts, a stable happiness in her eyes. She is truly, authentically, unapologetically, me. Not a projection of who I wanted people to think I was. I’ve learned that people do not care, and that if the 1 person out of 100 who does care can alter your view of yourself, then you are focusing on entirely the wrong things.

I’ve experienced my fair share of falling outs, but after every single break up or argument with a friend, no matter how damaging they can be when you're in the moment and everything is scary and real, I always make sure to take a step back and look at the big picture. They were just a person who didn’t fit in your circle. That doesn’t mean they’re a bad person, or that your circle is full, it just means that their presence doesn’t benefit you. Sometimes people who once were in your circle will outgrow it, and that’s okay. It is nothing against you, they simply changed. People change. You will change.

Being at peace with yourself is the key to healthy relationships. Your circle will grow and shrink with time. Maybe one day you’ll wake up and realize that you have one person, or maybe you have 25. When you value yourself, no matter how many people you surround yourself with, you will feel loved. When you know yourself, it won’t matter what others perception of you is. Maybe you’d rather stay in and watch a movie than go out and party, your people will know that and they will respect that. Find people who value you the way you value yourself.

Figuring out who you are, what makes you happy, and what makes you feel loved is essential to finding people who align with you. Don’t rush it, your circle will find you. When I started high school I had one good friend and a few acquaintances. Now I have an amazing group of strong, beautiful, people that I get to call my best friends. I curated that. I learned what I value in a connection with someone, and I stood strong behind that belief. People who don’t honor your values are not worth your time and energy. Especially time and energy you can put towards achieving your goals and bettering yourself.

I believe that my greatest strength is my self-respect to acknowledge that when something is not bringing me joy it is no longer a part of my circle. I know and love my people in the same way that they know and love me. My friendships are not transactional, they are intentional and unconditional. My friends help me in every aspect of my life and I am forever grateful for them.