Chapter Eight:

WINNING COMBINATION

For the big day, I dressed up in a bright lavender shirt with a colorful scarf and my favorite patterned pants. Mom told me I looked bold and confident. I hoped I would feel that way, too.

Miles, the other candidates, and I sat on the side of the stage. One by one, each class shared their speeches. Then ours was up. Miles did amazing. I saw kids smiling as he spoke. Teachers nodded. The thundering applause shook the room.

“Jada Jones for Miss Taylor’s class,” the assistant principal, Mrs. Keane, announced as I walked to center stage.

My hands quivered. I laid my speech on the lectern and gazed at the staring faces. My brain started to jumble. My heart pounded. I kept my eyes on my paper.

“Start when you’re ready,” Mrs. Keane whispered to me.

I breathed in and out. All I had to do was read. I pictured Mom, Dad, and Jax cheering me on. I thought about the “Believe” banner above Miss Taylor’s door. I looked up and focused on my class. You can do it, I told myself over and over.

I read my speech slowly at first, softly and carefully saying each word. But as I got going, something happened. My hands stilled. My voice rose clear and strong. I knew I didn’t need the paper anymore. I looked out at my friends and spoke from my heart.

When I finished, cheers rocked the auditorium.

“Thank you, Jada,” Mrs. Keane said.

I glided back to my seat. I did it!

“That was awesome,” Miles said when I sat next to him.

Back in our classroom, Miss Taylor passed out ballots.

“I am proud of both of our candidates,” she said, smiling at each of us. “And everyone in this room. Both Miles and Jada would be excellent picks to represent our class. The choice is up to you.”

We put up our privacy screens and voted. Miss Taylor said she would announce the results at our morning meeting.

The next day, it felt like the announcements would never end. Finally, Miss Taylor stood up and hit the chime. Chirr! We scrambled into a circle.

“I am pleased to say we have a student council representative,” she said. “Drumroll, please.”

We used our hands like drumsticks and beat out a rumbling sound on our legs.

“Jada Jones!”

Did Miss Taylor say my name? I couldn’t believe it. Before I knew it, everyone was congratulating me.

“Way to go, Jada,” Kyla hollered.

“Jada! Jada!” Simone kicked off a chant that spread around the circle.

“Class, class!” Miss Taylor called.

“Yes, yes.”

“Let’s hear it for Miles! He’ll be our alternate, and did a great job.”

We whooped and stood up to cheer. I gave my friend a thumbs-up.

On the way back to my desk, I noticed RJ standing next to my chair. I wondered what he wanted.

“Congratulations, Jada,” he said, grinning. I took my seat and couldn’t stop smiling.

I couldn’t wait until Mom and Dad heard I made student council. If I could do this, I could do anything.