“It’s my highest privilege to introduce your commencement speaker,” General Vance said into the microphone.

“Colonel Sarah Mitchell.”

The applause started in the cadet corps block on the field, the sharp rhythm of a thousand hands clapping in unison.

My mother’s face went completely gray.

Her thin lips parted a little, but no sound came out as she stared up at the stage.

Derek dropped his chin to his chest, and his rapid foot tapping stopped instantly.

I stepped forward to the microphone and set my draft speech on the wooden ledge next to the silk ribbons.