My nerves tremble, but seeing my friends cheer me on from the back helps me tune out my parents’ judgment from the front.

Taking center stage, I take a deep breath. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴! Mrs. Waltz mouths from a distance. This is my chance to change the world.

"Hello, everyone!" I twirl in my red festive dress, shimmering under the spotlight perfectly, gleaming like a Christmas ornament. But I falter when I notice the sparkles slipping off— This is exactly why I said I needed fabric glue. If only my mom would listen— Nonetheless, I recover smartly like I always do.

Just as we practiced, I step aside to reveal the screen while Amalia works her PowerPoint magic from the front of house, unveiling the slides I’ve been working on all December.

SWISS MISS

"Like the hot chocolate?" my dad interrupts from the school audience. How can a corporate lawyer ask such a stupid question? I feel my eye twitching, but I remind myself of my mission and stay focused.

"Not only is an envelope of Swiss Miss cocoa powder high in sugar, it's also sweetened with corn syrup, plus it's ultra processed." I give Amalia the cue.

INGREDIENTS

SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, MODIFIED WHEY, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI) HYDROGENATED COCONUT OIL, NONFAT MILK, LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MONO- AND DYGLYCERIDES, NATURAL FLAVOR

Total Sugar: 28g

• Includes 23g Added Sugars

A sharp gasp sweeps through the crowd, followed by anxious murmurs. I hear, "Honey, I told you the Swisss Miss was killing the kids!"

For once in my lifetime, I feel like I'm making a difference.

"That's forty-six percent of the average person's sugar intake! Now, they do offer a no-sugar option, but don't let that fool you. Because those have artificial sweeteners and flavors."

Slide after slide and fact after fact, I know I'm doing great. Every 𝘖𝘩, 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, and 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩, 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥, confirms it. Every student and every parent will walk out tonight with a healthier Christmas. My mission is succeeding!

"Next presentation is all about the downsides of Diet Coke. Stay tuned!"

The curtains fall and the lights go out, but I'm jumping in burst of joy. I wonder what my friends will have to say. Only good things, I can imagine. Maybe we'll finally get enough students to join our better-health club! I'm rushing out to find them, but I'm stopped by the sound of slow applause.

"What a lecture," I hear a low voice say.

His square frames match the glasses every teacher has around this town, but I'd for sure remember a forehead as broad as his. Short, spiky white hair, though not too many wrinkles yet. Maybe he's a Doctor from out-of-town here to study my project!

"Thanks! I've been working on it for a little while now. I even sacrificed this year's caroling for research. You know, like all health professionals would. You must be a health professional, too, right? Here to check out the students work? If you have any openings, I'd love to be an intern."

He steps in closer, adjusting his glasses. Almost like he's inspecting me.

"Have you ever considered why Swiss Miss is so beloved amongst families?"

"Well, the parents like it 'cause it's easy, and the kids like it because it's sweet," I say matter-of-factly, hoping it was the right answer.

"And what might be wrong with that, Miss?

"Well, it's bad for your— "

"I don't want to hear it!" he snaps pointing his cane to my chin in agitation.

"How dare you rob me of my sweets!"

This can't be good. I look around desperately, but there's no one in sight. My body's quivering and I'm almost screaming—

"My mother fed Swiss Miss to me as a babe, and here you are, striving to take it away. My sugar will not be revoked!"

"Mom!" I scream at the top of my lungs, trying to break free from him, but next thing you know, I'm stuffed in a sack and hauled into a vehicle.