A few weeks ago, Emily brought home a letter that she had been nominated for the Optimist Award through her school. After congratulations and reading the letter, I of course went out to see what exactly the Optimist Creed said.
Okay, so yes, she definitely embodies many aspects of this creed. lol.
The next week I shopped for a new dress, for her to wear at the ceremony. The first store I scoured was the 'discount' Goodwill, where clothes are sold by the pound, and nothing is sorted and there are just tables and tables of clothing mounds. The clothes are nice, but it's difficult to find something specific*.
My next stop was at a tiny thrift shop at the other end of town, and there on the children's rack, pulled away from the other clothing, hung a size 12 dress, shiny, beautiful, and only $2. It was just meant to be for my Emily. = )
Fast forward to this week, and after a wildly busy day of substituting for the twins' teacher, then a virtual doctor visit for Juliet, it was time for Emily and I to head down to Charlotte to get her checked in. Billy couldn't get away from work early enough to ride with us, so he joined me in the audience later.
The programs they passed out were very informative, giving a history of the optimists as well as a local chapter history. They listed out all 154 nominees, their home school, and who put forth their nomination.
After a short introduction by some local dignitaries, they started announcing each student and what their nominator had to say about their optimism. = )
Emily was nominated by Mr. Smith, her band director, and came across the stage in the second row of students. The audience was packed for her crossing. = )
It turns out, that it's somewhere around "M" that people in the audience start to excuse themselves. By the time we got to the "W"s the audience was restless** and diminished, and when the final student crossed the stage, the applause was enthusiastic.
They gave us an opportunity to photograph the collection of award winners! Emily is 3-4 students from the left, hidden mostly behind the little girl in a long white dress.
There was a reception afterwards where they served cake, ice cream, cookies and lemonade to the students and their guests^. Emily was full smiles the entire time, and even got to say hi to Mr. Smith before he left.
Quite a stash for the 'awards binder' that I keep.
We sure our proud of our optimistic Emily!!
later days
*it is for sure a store where you are told what you want, versus trying to track down something you want. lol.
** I pointed out to Billy where my maiden name would have fallen on the program. It's something he will get to "enjoy" the rest of our children's school years. ; )
^they capped the guests for each student at 4, so Alice stayed home with WGJ, and Emily got to enjoy Billy and my undivided attention.
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