Akshaj Ghanta, Class of 2023

A story of overcoming adversity

“Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.”

~Roy T. Bennett

Nothing great in life comes without adversity. For me, this meant being able to dive into new experiences. When I was all alone; the new boy at school, I had to push past the fear and overcome the adversity. It was my first day at a new school. I was starting the eighth grade, and didn’t know what to expect. All the other kids already knew each other from previous years, but I was a new boy. I had to leave all of my friends from my old school behind, and start a new chapter of my life. 

I got out of my car with what felt like twenty pounds of butterflies in my stomach. I looked around and saw all the other boys talking to each other. It didn’t feel like I belonged; everybody else already knew each other and were just catching up. I didn’t know anybody else, and just kept on walking to the entrance. I already knew the way to the classroom, as I had attended the tours from the day before. I walked down the hall and started to sweat. I thought to myself “What if they don’t like me? What if this is not like my old school?” A million thoughts raced through my head. 

As I got closer and closer to the classroom, my breathing got even heavier and my legs even shakier. I finally reached the room and saw my advisor’s name on the wall next to the door. I took a deep breath. I told myself “It will be fine. They’re just other kids. They won’t be too different from your old school. ” Palms sweating and legs shivering, I pushed open the heavy, wooden door. It felt like I was being born again; starting a new life. The six other advisees were already there and welcomed me. My advisor, Ms. Cousins, told everyone about me. The other advisees’ immediately started talking to me. I quickly befriended the other kids and instantly started to feel relaxed. 

Although I had never been in this situation before; although I was super uncomfortable; although I didn’t even know anyone, I pushed past these challenges. I realized that sometimes you just have to push yourself, because most of the time, the first step is the hardest step. As soon as I walked through that door, I had already done the hardest part. 

Being able to face adversity head-first is the key to all things in life.