I looked down looking over my index cards for the 100th time.

I read and reread each

word twice as I went skimmed over the speech. I could recite it backwards at this point. I looked
down and kept going over them anyway I was not about to mess up in front of a sea of people.
I looked behind my shoulder and saw others also frantically going over their speech. They
seemed nervous, but somehow any nerves they had seem to disappear when they get to the stage.
One after another people went and delivered their speeches perfectly gleaming in pride. I looked
over across the mass of students and teachers listening intently to each word the candidate said. I
saw their parents smiling at their child but also anxiously mouthing each word as their child said
it. Finally, the moment I had been secretly been dreading came, the Vice President Speeches.
Charlie Aprahamian I heard them call. I stood up from my seat and stepped up to the
podium.
It was May of my 6th grade year when I made my speech for SCA vice- president. I
trembled with nerves in anticipation. I always had had a fear of public speaking which is why I
thought delivering a speech in front of my school would get me over my fear. I thought it would
have at least
Moments before my name was announced, the speeches for secretary had finished and
then the treasurer speeches had started. Abby Smith, I heard the former Vice President say. I
looked over to see the red head stand up from her seat and wobble up to the stage. Abby Smith
seemed nervous and unlike the other candidates she remained nervous as she began speaking.
But instead of a well rehearsed speech, it was like she was doing improv.
Hi my name is Abby Smith. She began. Ummm I am running for secretary, I mean
treasurer not secretary...
She fumbled for words left and right.

Ummmm I feel like I would be good for the job and have a lot of ideas...
Then there was a pause that never seemed to stop. She looked down at the floor and back
up into the crowd.
I am really sorry, I just cant remember my speech I lost it this morning.
She looked up into the crowd of kids half looking sorry and half bursting in rude laughter.
She hurried off the stage and sat in her chair fighting off tears. I realized I was shaking. I
couldnt bear the thought of a similar event happening to me.
I looked down at my shaking notecards and read it again ensuring myself that I was fine.
But I didnt feel fine I couldnt do this -- not now, not ever. I debated pretending to get sick or
really anything to get me out of the speech. Charles Aprahamian, Vice President Candidate, I
heard. I was too late though to get out of the speech. This moment was the moment I had been
fearing for weeks now. I stood up walked across the open stage with every eye was on me and
stepped up to the mike. I turned around to face the audience and deliver my clever speech.
Instead I froze looking at the much bigger audience than it had looked from my seat. Blinded by
a light the brightness of the sun I began my speech.
My heart raced at what felt like 300 beats per minute. My voice staggered left and right
as I tried to get out my speech as fast as I could and get off the stage. I knew my speech so well I
could read it backwards to my parents but somehow up on that stage my eyes felt glued to that
paper. I couldnt look up and see all of those students staring at me. What was a simple two
minute speech now felt like I was reading an endless paper. I made the mistake to look up which
made me even more nervous.
Looking up I saw the gym filled every square inch with students sitting on the ground and
the teachers in chairs. I saw walls covered in posters for other candidates, the bulldog flag we

had for our school mascot, and so many different lights it looked like Christmas. My breaths
quickened and I felt as though I would run out of air. My leg began to shake, locking and
unlocking against my will. I quickly looked back at my notecards and realized I was almost
done. I began reading faster trying to finish the speech as fast as I could. At that point I didnt
care if I was reading too fast to be understood, I had to get off that stage. I finally finished my
speech then retold my position and slogan.
I hopped off the stage and went back to my seat. I received some good jobs and a
couple awesome speeches, but I knew it was far from the truth. My heart was still pounding.
My eyes scanned the room as I still felt like everyone was staring at me. Luckily moments later
Claire Berling, Presidential candidate, began her speech and the pressure was off.
My speech left me feeling as though I had humiliated myself. People always say if you
face your fears you can get over them, but I can say with complete confidence that I am far more
scared of public speaking then I have ever been.