And he wasn't my candidate of choice, but it didn't matter, because the entire class erupted into applause, a standing ovation for our brave friend Jamal who finally showed up as his most confident self for the first time that year.
Y no era mi candidato preferido, pero no importaba, porque toda la clase estalló en aplausos, y ovacionó de pie  a nuestro valiente amigo Jamal, quien finalmente se mostró  con la mayor confianza por primera vez ese año.