The Science Fair That Changed My Life

Do you ever feel like you’re back in middle school — wondering if you’ll fit in, second-guessing what you brought to the table (or the lunchroom), and hoping no one notices you’re “different”?

If so, you’re not alone. We all carry a 7th grader inside of us — the one who wants nothing more than to blend in, but who may also be hiding her true spark.

My 7th Grade Survival Routine

In 7th grade, I had a special ritual every morning before heading to school in New York City. I carefully inspected my backpack and removed anything that could get me teased or labeled “different.” My Walkman. Sharp objects. And especially my homemade lunches.

Just a year earlier, my family had emigrated from Communist Hungary. My mom lovingly packed me sandwiches with Hungarian Pick salami from the only butcher in the city who carried it. But I knew if I pulled one of those out in the cafeteria, the bullies would never let me forget it. So I did everything I could to blend in — trading my stiff clothes from Hungary for baggy jeans, neon T-shirts, and enough scrunchies to power the city lights.

The Poster That Changed My Life

What I really loved, though, was fashion. I dreamed of becoming a designer and sketched outfits whenever I could — even in science class. When my teacher announced we had to do a project for the Science Fair, I thought I had to make a poster about a scientist.

I chose Marie Curie. With my parents’ help, I made a giant blue poster. On the day of the fair, I showed up in my “blend in” outfit — only to freeze when I realized what a science fair really was. Every other kid stood proudly behind bubbling volcanoes and glowing experiments, dressed like they were defending a PhD thesis. I just had a poster.

I wanted to melt into the floor. But when my teacher asked me to present, I nervously explained Marie Curie’s story in my best English. To my shock, she gave me an A-. I was free to walk away and not have to do much science for the rest of the school year.

But something inside me made me linger. I wandered over to one of the volcano experiments, and for the first time in my life, I saw science come alive. That simple eruption of baking soda and vinegar lit a spark in me that changed my future. Ironically, it happened in the very year when I just wanted to blend in.

The 7th Grader Inside All of Us

That’s the thing: we all still carry that 7th grader within us. The one who hides the “weird” sandwich. The one who hopes her scrunchie is the right color. The one who doesn’t want to stand out — but who might be holding back the very spark that could change her life.

This is a theme that runs deeply in my writing. In my novel Choice, Val — a Mexican American single mom — must learn to stop hiding her intuition and trust herself fully in order to fight for her daughter. In my upcoming book, Lost Illusion, the characters have to look past the stories they have been telling themselves, to find their true purpose in life.

From Surviving to Thriving

When I first joined Toastmasters, I felt like I was back in 7th grade — nervous, intimidated, hoping I wouldn’t embarrass myself. But just like at the science fair, I discovered something unexpected: Toastmasters wasn’t about just surviving speeches. It was about sharing stories, building connections, and yes, sometimes eating pizza together.

And that’s the bigger message. The next time you walk into a new room — a meeting, a book club, a conference — remember your inner 7th grader. Then remind her: standing out isn’t dangerous. It’s often the first step toward discovery, connection, and joy.

After all, you never know where your next spark might come from.

👉 If you’re looking for stories that will remind you of the power of embracing your spark — even when it’s uncomfortable — check out my novel Choice available on Amazon. It’s a story of reinvention, courage, and the transformation that happens when we finally choose to stop hiding and start living authentically.