speech contest and impression

 I took part in the English Japanese speech contest last Sunday. This was first experience to me.

 At the beginning of this March, I suggested  that my acquaintance to produce a new category. She is the orner and  an English teacher of AGE(academy global education) Before now, entrants ahave been  elementary school  and jynior high and  high school students. I go to AGE in Ryuoh once a month. I heard about speech contest from her. I began to be interested in it.

The title was "For our future". I  had to make my own  original title.
It was very hard for me.

As we know,  a huge earthquake and Tsunami hit Tohhoku area in the middle of March. I could not afford to do anything at all after that.I had no idea about
 my future. I did not know what I should do at that time.

My pressure and stress  was increased day by day.
I began to write my essay from  the beginnig of July. I wrote again many times because I was not satisfied with it. Although it was written in Japanese,
it took a long time for me to complete it.

After I finished writting my essay, my son came back home from his dorm during his  summer vacation  in the middle of July. I concentrated on taking care of him  and my daughter because they needed my help.

I did not have enough time to interpret from Japanese to English. I was not sure if I would be successful or not. Whenever  I had a spare time, I  again wrote a lot.

After my son returned to his dorm in the middle of August, I began to concentrate on practicing a lot almost every day.  I often gave some speech in front of my family. They pointed out my mistakes and bad points. I tried harder and harder.

At last, the day of the contest arrived!
When I received the pamphlet , I was very surprised because I knew my turn was last.

While I was listen to the  other student's speeches, my heart began to beat  quickly because their speeches were amazing. Especially elementary school boy student's were very courageous.

My pressure was increased. I did not know how to recover my composure.
I was about to cry.

My turn came. I began to give a speech in a loud voice. I saw everybody was staring at me. I made some mistakes but I didn't use script. That was the  only one my pride. There were many mistakes. But I finished my first speech.

At the final  announcement, I heard the MC said my name. I got 2 prizes. It was  such an unexpected thing that I cried a little.

The reason  I  had a wonderful experience was that there were very nice friends who supported me. I am very proud of them.
I never forget such a wonderful speech contest like this.
I'm sure I need to challenge myself to reach higher levels.

Thank you very much,my dear friends!

Without your support,I could not have gotten this trophy...