Side Note: I have not fully overcome public speaking, but speaking in front of an audience doesn't bother me one bit anymore.

My first public speaking assignment was called a wax museum project, which was in third grade. I had to write a speech about someone from history or someone who was still alive--anyone I wanted.

I researched and wrote about Marco Polo, then I did the fun part--presenting in front of the class.

I practiced and eventually memorized the speech I wrote by the time I had to present it.

This assignment was an absolute breeze to me because I had fun writing and learning about Marco Polo. The best part of it was the teacher that I had that year because she made everything fun. Third grade was my favorite year of elementary school.

But...

My fear started to peak around fifth grade and middle school also known as the start and the end of the awkward years.

In fifth grade, I had a book report to write and present.

To my luck, I unfortunately got sick around winter break and couldn't go to school for a few weeks.

The next couple years weren't too bad until eighth grade arrived. At the end of eighth grade, we had to do a career speech assignment. It was similar to the wax museum assignment, but that was third grade. This was the last year of middle school. I was a year away from being a freshman in high school. It was still in the chapter of the awkward years, but it was almost over as well.

For the career speech, I avoided every single opportunity to present. I went to the nurse because my "stomach hurt" or I have a "headache" . I made all these excuses just to avoid public speaking.

I was the master of excuses that year.

Fast-forwarding to high school, I went to a retreat called snowball during sophomore year of high school, which is another story for another article.

But during junior year, I joined creative writing club and discovered spoken-word.

I got inspiration for my first spoken-word in time for my next snowball weekend. I titled it "Unspoken" and I was super proud of it.

At snowball, we have a no talent-talent show where people get to perform--singing, dancing, hula hoop, etc--but no one would judge you at all, talent or not. I hated the thought of speaking in front of everyone, but I wanted to perform this poem and get my voice out there.

I told my friends I wanted to try and do the talent show, but I was incredibly indecisive about it. I took a chance and I'm so happy I did.

When I got on stage, I started to speak. My voice was shaking and the room was really quiet. The moment after I said thank you, everyone stood up and started clapping. I was so happy. I was the only standing ovation of the night.

Every single snowball weekend afterwards, I've recited a poem and have received the same love and support from everyone.

If I didn't take a chance and if I didn't write a poem in time for the weekend, I wouldn't have decided to go on stage and perform.

Because of all the love and support that night, I've come to terms with my public speaking fear and I'm so glad I've overcome it.

Public speaking can be defined as a lot of situations, that are not only speaking in front of an audience, but talking one-on-one, group conversations, and so on. I've not truly overcome the whole spectrum of ''public speaking", but I've learned to overcome at least a huge factor of the fear. I'm happy to say that I'm proud of myself for this huge accomplishment.