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autograph for some third grader at my locker when Principal Berlin came over to me. I had never met the man, as it’s always been my policy to stay away from principals as much as possible. But he stuck out his hand and congratulated me.
    â€œMr. Moon,” he said, clapping me on the back. “You are a credit to O’Keeffe School. I wish all the students had your ambition. Listen, Judson, I was wondering if you would address the school at the assembly tomorrow morning. You can kick off your campaign right here at O’Keeffe.”
    â€œI’m … speechless,” I stammered.
    â€œWell, I hope you won’t be tomorrow!” he chortled. With that, he turned on his heel and ambled down the hall.
    I grabbed Lane in the cafeteria.
    â€œI’m in big trouble!” I told him. “Berlin wants me to give a speech at assembly tomorrow!”
    â€œGreat!” was Lane’s reaction.
    â€œBut the only time I ever spoke in front of a group, it was my parents. And they weren’t even listening! What am I gonna do?”
    â€œDon’t worry!” Lane said reassuringly. “You think politicians make up their own speeches? I’ll write a dynamite speech for you. All you have to do is read it.”
    â€œBut I’m not even a good reader!” I complained.
    â€œRelax! This is perfect. It’s a small school setting. A friendly crowd. This will give you the opportunity to get used to making speeches. Judd, every thing is going to be okay.”
    That was easy for him to say. He didn’t have to stand up on the stage all by himself with three hundred and fifty kids staring at him.
    I had started this whole running for president thing as a joke. But like all jokes, it was getting less funny the more I heard it.

JUDSON MOON FOR PRESIDENT read the huge banner strung across the stage. It looked like every American flag in the school had been moved into the auditorium. I peeked from behind the curtain and saw my classmates sitting out there, buzzing with excitement. The school band was playing “Hail to the Chief.” The podium looked like a lonely place to be.
    Lane straightened my tie for me and handed me some sheets of paper.
    â€œWhat does it say?” I asked.
    â€œIt’s a pretty standard political speech,” he replied. “You know, the flag, patriotism. Stuff like that.”
    â€œI’m scared, Lane. What am I doing here?”
    â€œStarting the adventure of a lifetime,” he said with a smile. “You’ll be great. Can you feel the energy out there? Feed off it! Throw their energy right back at them!”
    I didn’t have any time to read Lane’s speech. Principal Berlin got up onstage. He held his hand up and made the V-sign with his fingers, which in our school means everybody has to stop talking right away.
    â€œStudents,” the principal said when everybody calmed down, “I have been at O’Keeffe School for eighteen years. In that time I have met many remarkable young men and women. But never in my years here have I run across a student with the ambition of this young man. I asked him here today to give his first public speech and kick off his campaign. I hope he will be an example to you all. Let’s give a big hand for the next president of the United States, our own … Judson Moon!”
    Lane gave me a little shove and I walked to the podium.
    The applause was deafening. I’ve heard applause before, of course. But never for me . When the applause is for you , it somehow sounds different. You hear the hands clapping with your ears, but it just washes over you. You can’t tell how loud it is or how long it goes on. You go into a sort of trance state.
    Finally, the kids hushed themselves. The whole school was staring at me. I fumbled for the papers Lane had given me. It took all my concentration to read the words. It didn’t matter what they said. I just didn’t want to make any