Public Speaking.. YIKES!

Tomorrow is the day that I have to go to the hospital to give a presentation of the review of the annual CMC magazine. The person in charge, his name is escaping me at the moment, contacted me and ask, because their main story of this annual review is on me, would I be willing to come in an present my story to a group of people made up of doctors, heads of departments at the hospital, as well as possible investors. It sounds like a great idea at the time.. but now that it is tomorrow and I have to find something to talk about in front of complete strangers.. I am slightly terrified. But at the same time I think this will be a good chance to practice for my end of the year presentation. Never a bad idea to have a dress rehearsal right?! In preparation for tomorrow I decided I would look up some tips on public speaking. The article gave a lot of good tips, but there are two that I think are going to be the most helpful. 1. For this presentation I am the expert. I am the one who knows my story better than anyone else (obviously) so there are no right or wrong answers. I have to remember that I am talking about my own experiences and that I should be totally confident telling the good and the bad parts of it. No one is going to judge me for not knowing the medical terms or giving "false" information.. I AM THE EXPERT HERE.  The second big piece of information that it gave me was to realize that everyone else in that room hates public speaking just as much as I do. They all know what it is like to have to get up in front of people and give presentation. They have all been in my shoes and know that it isn't easy, so they won't be as ready to judge. I also think it is important for me to remember that I am still in high school and these people are professionals who have much more experience than me!

I think I have this under control as long as a make myself an outline of what I want to cover!
Wish me luck!
http://lifehacker.com/161531/public-speaking-dos-and-donts
Abbie

PS. Booked the limo for prom today!!! Yes I did need to share that... I am a teenage girl after all!