I was a remarkably timid seventh-grade girl who, for English class, was assigned to memorize and recite a poem. I recited “Where the Sidewalk Ends” well enough to advance onto the schoolwide poetry slam. I was incredibly nervous to be on stage before the whole school, nonetheless I did my best. When I walked off the stage however, I felt certain I was going to lose. So, when my name was called for first place, I was genuinely shocked and overjoyed. It was the first thing I ever won by merit and the experience boosted both my self-confidence and self-pride.