On Friday, Aug. 29 while sitting in a dorm room at Washington University in St. Louis as part of a college visit, I saw my phone light up with a voicemail. Hitting play, I heard a jumble of excited voices say, “Congratulations!” I was a Homecoming Court nominee.

As honored and excited as I was to be nominated, I didn’t break down crying or yell at the top of my lungs. I just went on with my day of college life.

As I toured WashU, I realized that being on Homecoming Court isn’t as significant as some people think. After high school, people aren’t going to care that you were on Court, even if you were king or queen. In fact, if you bring up these high school accomplishments, people might just think you’re stuck in the past.

That being said, a Homecoming nomination is truly something to be proud of, just not your “one shining moment.” What really matters is not others’ accolades of your achievements but your own personal satisfaction.

Being commended for community service, getting a selective scholarship for an essay or earning a spot on a sports team after months of hard training are worth cherishing because they require the recipient to put forth effort. If you strive to attain your goals, then they will be more meaningful once you’ve accomplished them than if they are simply given to you.

Another misconception is that activities done alone or in private are less important than those that have a greater number of participants or are more public. Just because your activity doesn’t fit the latter description doesn’t mean what you are doing is insignificant.

Initially, I was surprised that I was nominated, but as I thought more about it, I realized that my nomination makes sense. It’s not because I’m the stereotypical popular kid or because I am considered royalty amongst the student body; it’s because the activities I’m involved in are composed of numerous people.

As a participant of cross country, track, newspaper, band, jazz band and Link Crew, many people recognize my face around school. I’ve gotten to know a diverse group of people through these activities, and they have conversely gotten to know me.

A self-motivated artist is less likely to be nominated to Homecoming Court than the school’s star quarterback because the quarterback is in the public eye more than the artist. The artist’s work is in no way less important.

As you maneuver your way through life, you shouldn’t base your sense of achievement on the recognition you receive from other people. You should value the things that matter to you and define you as an individual, regardless of other people’s opinions or Homecoming nominees.