As a child, I was very shy. I would cling to my grandparents (who raised me) and hardly speak. As I grew older, that shyness stayed. I wouldn't raise my hand in class and I wouldn't ask my teachers for help when I didn't understand something. It hindered me. I didn't do so well in school and I didn't have a lot of close friends. When I got to middle school I realized that it was a big problem. I would have to stop being shy and instead be more confident.

I joined choir in middle school and found that I loved to sing. I began to audition for small solos and was actually picked for them. The more I explored the opportunities that choir had to offer, the more confident I became. It helped me see that I had value and that I should have confidence.

This newfound confidence began to seep into other areas of my life. I was more active in my education. I asked questions and felt more comfortable leading class discussions or presenting projects in front of the class. I cared more about my grades. I didn't hide behind my grandparents at family gatherings. I didn't struggle as much to make friends. In fact, my love for music and choir made me a lot of new friends. I maintained these friendships throughout school and I am still in contact with many of them.

I thought that I would continue my choir experience during high school, but I found that I didn't have to lean on that class anymore to get me through my other classes. I branched out and took classes like Debate and Honors English where I had to be front and center and believe that what I said mattered.

Now as a sophomore in college, I am confident in academics, abilities, and appearance. I owe it all to my first choir class and the realization that there's no reason to be shy. I matter.