After I finished secondary school, I had the opportunity to attend a youth program called (NEYOCA) New Era Youth Camp, which took place at Lekki, Lagos. I went there simply to have fun, meet people, and experience something new. I never imagined I’d be on any stage, let alone win a spelling bee competition. But that’s exactly what happened.
The spelling bee wasn’t even in my plans. Our team made a last-minute change, and just like that, I was selected to represent us. Honestly, I didn’t want to go up. I’ve always been a shy person, and back in school, I avoided anything that involved standing in front of people. Presentations, debates, quiz competitions, I would always find a way to dodge them. So when they picked me for the spelling bee, my heart dropped.
Still, I didn’t want to let the team down. I went up there nervous, heart racing, and trying not to show it. I kept telling myself to just try and do my best. One by one, participants got eliminated, and somehow, I made it to the final three. It was a tense moment. Everyone was clapping, shouting, encouraging their representatives. I stood there trying not to think too much, just waiting for my turn.
When my word came up, I almost didn’t hear it clearly. The word was “SMUGGLER.” In my head, I thought, “Seriously? That’s it?” I spelled it correctly, and to my surprise, the other two finalists missed their words. One was “BOULEVARD” and the other “FLIBBERTIGIBBET.” Much harder words, no doubt. And just like that, I was declared the winner.
But here’s where it got weird for me. Instead of feeling proud or happy, I felt like I didn’t deserve the win. I felt like it came too easy. “Smuggler?” Really? Why did I get the simplest word among the three of us? People were clapping for me, calling me the champ, but inside I didn’t feel like one. That was when I realized I was struggling with imposter syndrome. I felt like a fraud, like I had tricked everyone into thinking I was better than I actually was.
Later that night, I sat quietly, reflecting. Then something hit me – I didn’t just win because of the final word. I got to that stage because I had spelled all the previous words correctly under pressure. I had faced my fear of being on stage, conquered my shyness, and stayed calm under the time limits. I didn’t just show up and win; I earned my spot at the top.
Also, it’s easy to forget that even simple words can be hard when you’re under pressure. A slight hesitation, a slip of the tongue, or a moment of panic could have cost me. But I stayed focused, I pronounced confidently, and I spelled it right. That counts for something.
What I learned from that experience is that imposter syndrome is real, and it can steal your joy if you let it. Sometimes we feel like we don’t deserve our wins just because they don’t come in dramatic or complicated ways. But the truth is, a win is a win, especially when you’ve pushed past fear to get it.
I used to think I wasn’t bold enough to stand in front of a crowd. I used to run from opportunities. But that day at NEYOCA, I stood tall in front of hundreds of kids and did something I never thought I could do. That was the real victory for me. Not just the spelling bee trophy, but the fact that I took the first step towards becoming someone better, someone stronger.
Now, whenever I doubt myself, I remember that moment. I remember that the journey to confidence starts with one brave step.