“They basically work as a pillar in my life that supports how I experience school every day,” Sofía Betancur explained.

For many students at The Columbus School, friendship plays an important role in daily life. Being part of a close friend group like Las Potenciadas gives students people they can rely on, feel supported by, and grow alongside.

Camilo Hoyos explained why connection matters. “As humans, we are social creatures, and we need somebody to rely on. We need somebody to trust. This is called affinity grouping. If you have somebody who you can share your life with, it doesn’t have to be your boyfriend or your girlfriend.”

He also shared how trust impacts confidence and growth. “It has to be somebody who you trust. Then that’s going to build your confidence. It’s going to help you perform better in anything you do. It gives you the social skills that you need to thrive.”

Hoyos added that friendships become especially important during times of change. “Whatever change, it causes struggle. And if you have somebody who is also going through the change with you, then you can see yourself… it’s just like looking at yourself in the mirror.”

12th grader María José Mesa, a member of Las Potenciadas, shared how friendships affect her school experience. “They basically work as a pillar in my life that supports how I experience school every day,” she said.

Mesa also explained how being part of the group affects her emotionally. “I think being part of this friend group really affects my mood in a positive way because it makes me feel like I have people I can rely on. I always know that I will never be alone, even when I feel sad or I’m going through a bad time.”

For Mesa, friendship does not have to be complicated. “You can truly tell that it’s friendship because you don’t need anything else except the company of the other.”

12th grader Sofía Betancur, another member of Las Potenciadas, shared how her friends influence her confidence and happiness. “They also help me a lot at school because they help me be more confident and help me be happier.”

She also described how supportive the group feels. “We have a lot of fun together, and I really like that I feel supported by my friends. I can tell them anything I need.”

Looking toward the future, Betancur believes friendships will continue to change and grow. “I believe that friendships change a lot depending on what people need. I think that we’re going to become closer in uni when we start university because we will all need lots of support, and I hope we are closer.”

From building confidence to offering comfort during difficult moments, these voices show how meaningful friendships can be. For students like Mesa and Betancur, and with guidance from teachers like Hoyos, connection plays a powerful role in shaping the school experience.