High school is tough enough without the weight of rumors. For Sofia Saquic, a full-time culinary student at MCTS who ends her day at Hamilton High West, gossip hasn’t just been background noise, but rather it’s been one of her most challenging obstacles while navigating adolescence in high school on top of new, profound responsibilities. We had the amazing opportunity to gain insight into her journey, her ups and downs, and hopefully share that rumors don't last forever.
“Rumors have truly been one of the hardest challenges,” Sofía shares. “They’ve ruined my self-esteem for the majority of my life.” Like many teens, Sofía found out how quickly false stories can spread in school hallways. At times, it felt like there was no escape from the things people were saying.
“A rumor can be spread so easily within these walls,” she explains. “You realize how much gossip can drag you down.” The emotional toll was extremely real, a little too real. For a long time, Sofía struggled with the mental effects of being talked about. She felt isolated, hurt, and unsure of herself. But eventually, something changed for her in a beneficial way.
“I experienced it for some time until I had that spark in me to shut it down,” she says.
That spark led her to an important realization, one that helped her take back control of her life and identity. “I realized that rumors don’t define who I am,” Sofía says firmly. “I define myself.” Now, Sofía wants to share her story to help others who may be going through the same thing, especially those who are just entering high school, fully unaware of the new possibilities.
“As someone whose mental health was truly brought down by them, I can say I’ve learned the lesson to keep going, to ignore what I can’t hear. Words don’t contribute to the person you are.” Her message to other teens is simple but powerful: don't let gossip shape your self-worth.
“Just keep going and show the world who you are,” she encourages. “Rumors are beyond your control, but they don’t make you.”
