June 29, 2007
I woke up this morning with one thing on my mind, the PRESS CONFERENCE! Just the thought of the word press conference gave me the B.G.'s ( Bubbly Guts). Even though Mari Rose and I practiced the night before I still felt uneasy about giving my speech. Maybe it was because of my fear of public speaking, or maybe it was because I kept thinking of all those faces just staring at me, who knows? All I knew was that I had to give a speech and that there were going to be people, yes people many people, there.

ONE STEP CLOSER
During our team breakfast meeting I couldn't even eat. Yes, I have to admit the butterflies were kicking in. As we started to walk towards the Civic Center my nervousness was getting stronger, and the weather didn't help either. No offense, I love Atlanta. Every step I took was a step closer to me having to make my speech, so I tried to walk as slow as possible, JUST KIDDING! About the walking slow part, so its okay to laugh. It was obvious that I was nervous so everyone was giving me a lot of support and pointers, thanks guys good lookin out!

"Just try to do the best you can, it doesn't matter what happens. As long as you think and tried your best you won't have any regrets, because you know you gave it your all."
-Sandy

WHAT DOES THAT SPELL?
We arrived to the EJ tent with just enough time for me to add and edit a few things from my speech, which I had written in my handy dandy journal, provided by Mari Rose! The time had finally come, next thing I know I was sitting on the panel it was no turning back. I couldn't even look up at the audience, but then something happened. All of a sudden I hear, "Give me a T! Give me a I! Give me a N! Give me a A! What does that spell TINA!" It was the youth from the organization CPA, it didn't seem real. Their cheering and chanting gave me the power and strength to forget all my fears and to just do the best I can. At that moment I realized that this wasn't all about me, there were other youth trying to send the message of environmental justice out. I thought to myself I need to speak for my people and for the youth, it was my chance and to give them all I got.

AND OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS...
The time had come, no looking back now, I had to do it. I walked up with my head up high and ready to represent. I looked out to the audience, and all eyes were on me. I started to speak and as I read through the pages of my journals the words started to come to me. Some how, right then and there, this feeling came over to me. I had confidence and I wasn't scared anymore. What especially kept me going was when I saw my fellow APEN peeps Hai Binh, MiMi, Mari Rose, and Keri. (I wouldn't be here with out you guys)! I spoke from my heart, and I let it out through the power of my voice. I realized then that I can make a difference in my community and I can make a difference. Who would have thought, me, Christina Saeteurn from Richmond, California was here at the USSF, speaking about environmental justice.

"APEN holds the vision of environmental justice for all people."
-APEN