Courtesy webshots, user: huney219

“IT’S TIME! Get in a straight line! We’re walking. We’re walking!” I heard the teachers and principals repeating. We were standing in the quad at James Logan High School, around 7:15 in the evening, starting to walk into the Pavilion, where hundreds of audience members waited to watch us finalize our middle school career.  My heart was beating so fast, I felt that on the next beat, it would jump out of my chest at any moment. I was afraid I was going to trip with my high heels the moment I walked into that building. I was so self-conscious, much regretting it now. There was no need to feel that much tension for 3 hours straight. I took my first step into the pavilion, seeing all the flashing cameras and much-too excited relatives of all my peers. I heard whistling and cheering from all around the building.  

I somehow managed to maintain a quick, rhythmic walk all the way to my seat, blending in with the other 350 8^th graders in blue. All the promoters continued to stand waving to their families.  We were waiting for the principal to say “Class of 2008, please be seated.” When Mr. Solórzano finally announced it, the whole gym made a *THUMP* noise, and all the students were seated within a second. It made me smile, since we had practiced that several times. Mr. Solórzano introduced the board members, and the class valedictorian. The superintendent, Mrs. Pat Jaurequi, then introduced her superintendent’s award. After that, the choirs were supposed to perform “In My Life” by The Beetles. I completely forgot I was supposed to go too, because I was in choir, until the boy next to me nudged me and said “Go!” so I almost ran through my row and to the back, where the most of the choir were standing. I was the last one there. So we sang…horribly, but the soloists did even worse. After the choirs went back to their original seats, two female counselors from our school finally claimed the two stands on stage. Everyone sat straight and switched their attention to the two women on the stage.  I heard the name “Jameka Abair”, who was one of my friends, and knew that they had started calling names. For each name, a different section in the audience, or even two, would stomp and cheer for the graduates. While they were calling names, I turned my head in every direction, especially in the back right corner, where I heard my name earlier, searching for my family. No luck. I knew they were there, I just didn’t know where. 

When it was my row’s turn to set out to the stage, I was glad there was only about 7 seconds between each name. That way, I wouldn’t have “my moment.” I know most girls can’t wait for this moment, but I just wanted to get it over with.  I then heard “Samira Haikal” and immediately walked up to the certificate giver.  I decided I’ve never trembled so much in my life. When I grabbed my certificate, I turned my body and posed a fake smile to the photographer. Only then, was when I noticed I had the whole mid-gym walkway to myself. At that point, it seemed like a thousand miles back to my seat. I just walked, not wanting to slow the person behind me. I attempted to catwalk half the way to ease off the pressure, but I failed. It didn’t make me feel better., but I successfully made it back to my seat