"Hi... hello everyone. Is this thing on?" I ask awkwardly into the microphone. Everyone around me stops what they were doing to look at me, "Uh..."
I have a whole speech I'm supposed to read, but I think it's going to be more organic if I just say what I remember, in my own words.
"My name is Nukea Winters. Many of you know me because I've lived in Hughmount all my life. My father, Jackson Winters, was an avid protector of our Old Hughmount, as some of you may remember."
Several people nod and continue to give me their attention, others suddenly come over to hear what I have to say. I can recognize a lot of people in the crowd and that makes me feel a little more confident.
"I'm happy to see my people here. My teachers, neighbors, old friends..." I say, raising my hand to several of th
