Podium

“Look towards the back of the room and stand up straight,” my mentor told me while fixing my collar on my blue uniform. I prepare in the empty auditorium. 30 minutes pass and one hundred and fifty seven heads fill the room. The butterflies start to quiver as I sit at attention with my shoes shined, pants pressed, and legs at 90 degree angles. Being the center of attention, I walk up to the center. I start to fidget and shake behind the elevated piece of furnished oak, but all the crowd sees is an individual with an award.