I make it out of the fountains, when the mortars erupt behind me. I am safe. I approach the other half of the barricade, I almost stop for I see a pyro-technician, but I pay no mind to either. I approach Beardshear as the last chimes of the campanile fade into the night sky. I failed, but as I finish, another drunk is running naked in front of the building I just ran to. He points, acknowledging my large…reproductive organs. I smile and find a safe place to hide and change. I return to my clothes, while catching the remaining fireworks, and I return back to my dorm, and allow myself to be etched into everyone’s minds.

As you move onto with your schooling, and some of us your lives, think about the impression you made on people, even within your speech class. Maybe you had a long conversation about music, while you should be working on improving your speech. Maybe you helped someone on their tests who felt the contributed next to nothing. Maybe you invited your speech lab section to your wedding reception. Maybe you put together a sweet free concert. Maybe you wore your heart on your sleeve as you delivered a speech to people who were once strangers. Or maybe you got to share your story and what you cared about with people who would finally give you your turn to talk rather than allowing you to sit back and listen.