by Hilary, age 10

I am a fifth grader who plays piano. My school's big Talent Showcase was in May. As I was waiting to strut my stuff, I had a feeling I was going to mess up. I straightened my shiny pearl and rhinestone tiara on my head and told the announcer, "I feel like I'm going to throw up."

She said, "Don't be nervous. You're the Princess of the Piano. You'll do fine."

I knew I wouldn't get my song right. I tried going over my music in my head. I knew that song really well. I'd memorized my music even before the audition three months before. Still, I just knew I would mess up. I tried to be brave, and figured Why Not! chance it and go on anyway.

The announcer called my name. I walked to the piano as calmly as possible, sat down, took a deep breath and started to play the song, "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes," from Cinderella. I played the first part; A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep. Then I forgot the next note! I froze!

Determined, I played the beginning again, and froze again. I kept playing the beginning over and over, and messing up. About the fourth time around, the announcer told me to move on to my next song. All the crowd in the audience was cheering for me, but I just kept messing up! It was like they felt sorry for me and were giving me a way out, giving me a chance to just go off the stage. But I knew that song! Why Not! keep trying? I was determined to get it right!

I concentrated, positioned my fingers on the keys and got ready to start again. Then I heard my mom's scream of encouragement from the audience. That scream got me going! I tried again. Guess what? I finally completed my song! The audience screamed and cheered for me as loud as they could. It felt great to finish that song. I went on to the next one and completed it perfectly.

The crowd went wild. They screamed and cheered long after I went backstage. In the back, all the other people in the Talent Showcase cheered for me. They were hugging me, and I felt great!

The next day, at school, everyone was still hugging me and cheering. And even two weeks later, people were still talking about me. Teachers told my mom they wished their kids had as much determination. One kid's mother even told me that when her son gets stuck in his violin practice, she tells him, "Remember that girl in the talent show? Keep trying!"

I'm so happy I didn't give up. The teachers were so proud that they gave me a poster that used to hang in their lounge at school. It shows a man climbing a big cliff, and says, "Perseverance."

Next time you face a challenge, don't give up. Think about me, Hilary, the Princess of the Piano, and tell yourself "Why Not!"