Although I knew that I had everything in order for a successful evening, I was still incredibly nervous because public speaking remains a weakness of mine. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease with which the night was encompassed by. I thought it would be challenging to talk to numerous people whom I did not know; however, as the night progressed, it became increasingly easier. Throughout the night, I gained confidence in myself and my work as I came to understand that the work I have done thus far in the program has stretched me far beyond the normal tasks of a high school student. Despite my initial lack of confidence in myself, I received more positive feedback than I could have ever imagined at the Research Showcase, helping me to understand the significance of the work I am doing. I was able to spend two hours presenting my studies from ISM this year, and while getting to that point took a lot of hard work, once I was there, it was the most rewarding experience I have ever had. That night made the hours of work I put into my Original Work worth it.
