The Home Of The Brave
I was walking in a single file line to gym class at Dighton Elementary school. Partnered up with a couple of my girlfriends, I watched as my music teacher, posts a sign up list for the fourth grade talent show. Having only sung in the shower and during chorus with a bunch of other students, I was extremely hesitant to put my name on the audition list. I watched as my best friend at the time, Gina Mainella throw her name on the list along side her song of choice. I stared at the list for some time and picked up the pen. I wrote my name, crossed it out, then wrote it again. I was on the audition list and chose the national anthem as my performance song. I spent the rest of the day thinking if i made the right choice. Thoughts bouncing back and fourth just hoping I wasn’t going to make a complete fool out of myself in front of the entire school. My name was on the list, and I wasn’t about to back out.
I went home, walked up to my mom and told her about my new found hobby. I told her that I was going to sing the national anthem, and being the supportive mother she was, she gave me all the encouragement in the world and let me practice all day and night, even if I was a little annoying. haha! A few days later, I walked into the music room, and got prepared for my audition. I stood up in front of his desk, placed my audition form down, and nervously opened my mouth. With butterflies running through my body, fingers trembling and eyes watering, I sang my audition song. Finally hitting the last final notes I opened my eyes to see my music teacher with a big smile on his face. I was selected to be in the talent show. Right then and there. I was accepted. I felt so proud of my self. All the hard work payed off, and all the hours of rehearsing really gave me the push I needed to let myself know that I can do anything I put my mind to. I smiled and ran out the door to my mom, who was standing waiting for the good news. Being a fourth grader and getting the feeling of being a star is quite the experience.
About three weeks later, it was time. It was my moment to shine. I stepped out on the stage, palms sweaty, fingers trembling and eyes watering (again). I took one last gulp, looked out into the audience and saw over 400 kids staring at me. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and began to sing. With my american flag t-shirt, I sang through the entire song with my eyes glued to kids below me.
“And the home of the brave….”. It was over. I closed my mouth. and I heard nothing but silence for a second. Then the next second all I heard was my peers going wild. Cheering and clapping and hollering. In that moment, I knew that singing wasn’t going to be a one time thing for me. It was my dream. It was what I was born to do. I jumped up and down, and bowed to the audience. In that moment, I was a star. Everyone knew my name. Everyone knew me as, “Mia, the girl with the voice”.
That was Talent show that started it all.
