Going into high school as a nervous 8th grader, I didn’t know how my experience at Rosary Academy would be. I’ve aways had trouble finding good friends, especially being a quieter person. Besides my older sister, I didn’t know anyone at Rosary and was scared that was going to affect how quickly I made friends. Little did I know that now, closing out my sophomore year, I wouldn’t be scared anymore and I found the best people to surround myself with.
In April of 2024, I auditioned to be part of the Rosary Academy Dance Team. Right off the bat I saw that many of the incoming freshmen already knew each other. This made me even more nervous to talk to people, but I knew if I wanted to make friends I had to step out of my comfort zone.
Shortly after I made the team, there was the first team meeting of the season. I was so nervous that I wasn’t going to have anyone to talk to, but by 10 minutes in I was already starting to make new friends. I stepped out of my comfort zone and found that I was able to act like myself around these girls.
By the time the first day of freshman year came around, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I was going to be. Of course I still had jitters, but at least I knew I wasn’t alone. I started talking to the girls in my classes and making even more friends. This was something I had never done before so along with my academic learning I also got to learn more about myself.
Throughout freshman year my group of friends changed a lot. It went from a big group to a small group and then to an even smaller group. This was something new for me because I went to a very small middle school. Throughout it all I knew that no matter what I wanted to stay true to myself and be kind to everyone. By the time my first year of high school was coming to an end, I was feeling a lot more comfortable and was curious to see what sophomore year would bring.
By a few months into sophomore year and my friend group changing a little more, I found the best
people to have as friends. I not only can have fun with them, but they let me be myself always. They help me grow as a person, student and friend each day and I could not be more grateful Rosary brought us together.
Even though I had the best friends to experience it with, sophomore year did not come without its struggles. It was year two having to balance school, dance team and my studio dance team at the same time and I’m not sure it became easier. From the months of Dec-Feb I was the most sleep deprived and overworked I’ve ever been. This not only taught me hard work ethic, but I also had to learn how to give myself breaks. I also grew closer to God because of this and learned to put my faith in his plan for me.
My development from being a scared incoming freshman to soon becoming an upperclassman is immense. I never would have believed it if I told myself two years ago about the amazing friends I have, the many memories made and the academic development I have had in my classes. Rosary has shaped my identity in so many ways from how I project myself to who I surround myself with and I could not be more grateful. If you are an incoming freshman or experiencing a major change in your life, remember to stay true to yourself and trust in God’s plan for you always. I cannot wait to continue finding my identity during these final two years at Rosary.
