I’d never thought of myself as a very popular student. So the announcement took me aback and also increased my anxiety. When I was called upon the stage to say a few words, I was struck by trepidation. But since there’s no escape from the situation, I went through the motions and uttered a few words in the mike. As I began to speak, the audience began to pay attention. Their attention, strangely enough, calmed me too. My words began to make sense too, as I thanked all those who voted me into the Court. I also acknowledged my responsibilities as a member of the Court and promised to give it all. Upon conclusion of my speech, the gathering at the Prom gave a warm round of applause, which I appreciated and enjoyed too.
These few minutes of my school life would prove to be very consequential, for it brought out another facet to my personality. It made me realize that my prior introversion was purely a matter of conditioning and that I had the capacity to manifest another side. The conflict and agony that I was carrying throughout the evening resolved into a state of relaxed confidence. The Prom dinner was a totally different experience, as the dissonant state of mind gave way to one of self-confidence, pride and enjoyment. To this day, I look back at the Prom as a crucial formative event to the evolvement of my personality.