Standing in front of a room filled to the brim with people of all ages, I am utterly without mind. My fingers are numb with fear, and my stomach is turning every which way. I take a deep breath, and try to release all of my bottled up nerves, but no luck. I am more nervous than ever. The hours and hours of rigorous practicing all come down to this final ten-minute interval. This is …showed first 75 words of 675 total…

…showed last 75 words of 675 total…routine. We are virtually flawless in every aspect of the game. That is just what performing has become to me, a game. It is so much fun, and for nine minutes and twenty-three seconds we are on top of the world. My fear that I have developed has now caused me to thrive victoriously. I hate it and love it at the same time. Fear pumps the blood through my veins, and speech circulates it.