我是苏意涵，一个台北市的高二学生。2008年5月，我来到美国亚特兰大市世界展览中心，参加一年一度的英特尔国际科学展。这是全球最大规模的中学生科学竞赛，每年都会有众多的优秀选手参赛。

我的展位很小，不到一平方米，我年龄也小，只有十七岁。在这个高手如林，面积巨大的展览中心，我就像一只丑小鸭瑟缩于灰暗的一隅，而对面展位的主人，却是一只闪烁着耀眼光环的白天鹅——一位美国学生，那个去年该项竞赛活动的金奖得主。那位美国学生被评委以及参观者，里三层外三层地围得水泄不通，可我的展位前却总是冷清清地几乎没有一个人。

时间就这样一分一秒地流走，我想，如果再这样下去，这次肯定是白来一趟了。我极不甘心，因为我带来的是一项在被专家学者普遍看好的科技成果。

我想起了临行前亲友说过的一句话：当你寂寂无名时，你的成果无论怎样不同一般，也极有可能像一粒微尘被世俗的劲风吹走。

我在心里说：不行，我一定让这甜美的果实被人知道，让人赏识，我不能让我近一年的辛勤劳动付诸流水，我要主动出击！

想到这，我一步跨出展位。我觉得自己走出这一步便进入了一个无限宽广灿烂的天地。

我大声拦住欲从我展位前一晃而过的一位评委说：你有5分钟吗？

那个人看了一眼小小年纪黄皮肤的小女孩，摇了摇头，急匆匆走了。我这样拦了五次，都遭到拒绝。当我并不气馁再一次拦住一位评委的时候，这人终于肯留步了！

I tightly grasped this rare opportunity and introduced myself to the judge, followed by a detailed explanation of my experiment. The research mainly explored the catalyst conversion efficiency of fuel cells, which had valuable implications for improving mixed-configuration metal and enhancing proton exchange membrane fuel cell applications as well as mitigating the oil energy crisis.

The five minutes were up when I finished speaking. Throughout the morning, I managed to persuade several judges to listen to my presentation. Because I knew that these judges were all top-tier experts, every additional listener would increase my chances of success; therefore, I felt that requesting one minute from an evaluator was too extravagant. So in the afternoon, I decided to ask for just one minute.

After lunch, I started approaching evaluators again and said: "May I have a minute?" Indeed, more judges agreed to listen to my introduction. Knowing this was both an opportunity and a greater challenge for me – my language had to be even more concise and persuasive. From the smiles on their faces after listening to my presentation, I knew that it had achieved its desired effect.

And indeed it did! Not only did I win first prize in chemistry at Intel International Science Fair but also secured the largest award - "Young Scientist Award." This earned me $58,000 in cash awards plus a dual-core Intel laptop computer along with scholarship assistance for summer internships or study abroad programs among other perks. Among 36 grand prize winners over history's years only six were non-American participants; Suzi became Asia's second representative.

Thusly says one thing about success: effort is important but so is getting others' attention crucial especially if you're not famous yet! It takes courage as well as exceptional communication skills with cultural knowledge backing them up - something cultivated through extensive reading and practice if not constantly honed daily then forgotten forever!

This story shows how hard work alone isn't enough; we must also hone our ability communicate effectively while showcasing our talents without losing time or momentum before they slip away like grains of sand carried off by strong winds!