Presentation Day by Allison

Presentation Day by Allison - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

As a child I dreaded presentation day. The eyes glaring at you, the constant need for air as words leave your mouth in rapid fire, the heartbeat that ran 200 beats per minute; it all seemed like such a pointless yet worrying ordeal. However, I had a suspicion that compared to others, this was worse for me. Anxiety would bubble up, even weeks in advance before going in front of the 23 students who watched me fidget through slides. Then again, I wasn't the most social, even at some points not having any friends whatsoever.

But with age, more social things were required such as reading in small groups or socratic seminars. Those worried me the most, sitting in a room where all eyes were locked on you as you spoke would keep me up at night. My breaking point was sophomore year; I had to present a 10 minute long presentation on the causes and effects of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. To others this was an “easy A,” but to me it was a punishment. The night before I had been awake until 3 A.M dwelling on what to say or what to wear when I went to my mother’s room. I started bawling my eyes out, crying because I could not understand why presentations came so easily for others while, for me, I couldn't get a single word out. She comforted me in her arms and told me “never let the anxiety control you, show them you can do it”. As I listened to her words I had a realization, other kids around me were afraid as well, but unlike me they confronted the fear, while I hid from it.

The next day walking into class I felt a wave of confidence I had never felt before. The teacher asked the class “who would like to present first” as the room fell into silence. A surge of energy left my body as I raised my hand. “Can I go first?” were my first words spoken in that classroom; the teacher was surprised as I walked to the board feeling a slight relief. Then I took a breath and discussed the novel as if I had read it multiple times. It wasn’t a perfect presentation (as nothing is), but I felt comfort and ease as I left the front of the room. classmates clapped and life went on. That day I realized presentations weren’t useless; they gave students that confidence they need in the real world. After that day presentations came to me with ease. I still get worried occasionally, but I never let the worry overtake what I had worked so hard on and instead let the worry and fright help me overcome my fears. Now when teachers state there is a presentation, or speaking grade, I get a sense of joy knowing that if I calm my mind and speak as if no one is there, I will accomplish what I set out to do in the first place. Without facing that fear, growth will never come.