[ WP ] Time and time again , you failed . Today , you succeeded .

“ Hi. ” Barely audible. It was as if it was only yesterday. You dreaded the day weeks before it arrived. Each night in your imagination, you dreamed of the worst possible scenario. I ’ ll stutter. I ’ ll sweat all over my speech paper. People will laugh at me. They will judge me. I ’ ll make a fool of myself. Time marches on, no matter how you felt. The day finally arrived. 
 
 
 *You smile as to your companion as you sit down in the grand auditorium. You look to the podium at the stage, big as can be. The room was filled with all-around chatter. You hear your name called. “ You go get ‘ em, tiger, ” your new acquaintance, a wonderful lady whom you ’ ll be taking home tonight, says to you. “ Sure will. ” * 
 
 
 You were ushered into the auditorium, a place worn by frequent use. In fact, you ’ ve sat in the audience many, many times. But today will be your first facing the audience. You ’ ve never stood behind a podium. You feel your hands get all clammy and your heart start racing. 
 
 
 *You slowly amble to the stage, taking pleasure at the moment with all eyes on you. You make your way up the stairs to the stage, smiling back at the crowd and waving your hand and shouting thank you, thank you. * 
 
 
 You remember your heart racing 200 beats per minute. You remember your parched dry throat and clammy wet hands. You couldn ’ t bear to look up at the crowd, an audience of your fellow fifth-graders dressed in blue caps and gowns. Today was graduation and you were their speaker. You ’ re the salutatorian. 
 
 
 *You ready yourself at the podium, adjusting the mic and absorbing the dramatic pause the audience allotted to you before you make your first sound. “ Hi. ” *
