Silence to Strength At four years old, I was dressed in mismatched clothes, excited for my friend’s Fancy Nancy-themed birthday party. Fancy Nancy was one of my favorite book series. I adored her vibrant, free-spirited nature and love for all things unique. At home, I saw so much of myself in her. I came alive—singing, dancing, and performing for my family, relishing the joy of being unapologetically me. When I arrived at the party, my excitement vanished. In its place came a stark contrast—I shrank into myself, silent and expressionless. Fear gripped me, and I froze, unable to engage. My heart wanted to join the fun, but the weight of my fear was too overwhelming. Even talking to my mom was a challenge. This event marked a turning point in my life. I came home from the party, mentally and physically drained, and collapsed onto the couch, falling asleep almost instantly. As I slept, my mom sat nearby, tears streaming down her face, realizing something was not right. Not long after, I was diagnosed with selective mutism and social anxiety. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in specific social situations due to overwhelming fear. However, those with selective mutism can speak freely in more familiar settings, like at home. It took a few years to get the official diagnosis because many professionals, were and still are unfamiliar with it. I traveled to Michigan to attend a specialized camp for selective mutism. The week-long program was intensive, focused solely on using our brave voices, with individual counselors guiding each camper. Camp was life-changing. I learned skills to apply at home, at school, in dance classes, and in the community. Integrating these tools into my daily life wasn’t easy. I was already known as the quiet girl, and breaking that mold was tough. My mom worked with school staff to help reduce pressure and create a more comfortable environment for communication. I didn’t want overwhelming attention when I finally spoke. Gradually, I started engaging in brave exposure practice, intentionally confronting situations that challenged me just enough to foster growth, despite the discomfort. By sixth grade, I had officially moved past selective mutism. I sang a solo in front of the entire school, raised my hand, participated in class, delivered oral presentations, and spoke at all-school assemblies. I had found my voice. High school was another turning point. It was my first year at a large public school, a huge change after spending my entire education in a small private school. It truly became the best four years of my life. I found my voice, my people, and my passion for theater. Theater gave me true friendships, leadership skills, and the confidence to be myself. It was an outlet for creativity and self-expression. I learned the importance of hard work, resilience, dedication, responsibility, and teamwork. Theater empowered me to embrace my self-confidence and step into my authentic self. There was a time when the thought of stepping onto a stage, using my voice, and being truly seen felt impossible. Selective mutism and social anxiety made sure of that. Through my growth, I realized that my past experiences, diagnoses, or events do not define me. I have the power to rewrite my story and become who I aspire to be. It won’t always be easy, and I know I will face challenges. I also know I deserve to create a life I love, one my heart truly longs for. I am learning through my journey and mine will continue for a lifetime. College is my next adventure!