California Here I Go, Top Down & The Radio

I look out into the crowd. The light is shining in my face, but I know the room is full of people.  I feel my nerves kick in. Then I hear a voice over the sound system, “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 2009 America’s Homecoming Queen Competition! In just a few minutes we will be seeing the ladies in their evening gowns, please take your seats...” I use this minute to think how I managed to get all the way to Anaheim, California...

                It was a cold, rainy, fall day in October. I was a senior at North County High school and it was Homecoming. I was shocked to hear my name called as the winner of the 2008 Homecoming Queen. The student body roared. This was where I thought my homecoming adventures ended. But I was wrong.

 A few weeks later in the mail I received a packet from a scholarship organization called “America’s Homecoming Queen Inc.” I was given an opportunity to compete in a pageant for a scholarship. I’m no pageant princess, but hey, for a scholarship it might be worth it.

I was chosen to compete for the Maryland title. I met a lot of awesome girls, and to my surprise, at the end of the weekend, I found myself standing in front of the judges with a sash, bouquet and crown. I had won the Maryland’s Homecoming Queen Title. My next stop: California.

 This brings me full circle to this dark room full of people, and back to my nerves which are now feeling more like birds than butterflies. Hailey Vincent, Louisiana’s homecoming queen is walking, which means I’m on next.  All I can think is how far I’ve come in such a small amount of time. It’s only in adventure and risk taking that one can succeed in finding where they belong.

Word count:309

Point: It’s only in adventure and risk taking that one can succeed in finding where they belong.

Education is like a Mountain, Sometimes it's Up , Sometimes it's Down

Best experience:

My senior year in high school I had an educational experience like no other. I took an advanced placement environmental class that took me on a field trip that was unforgettable. This trip taught me many things about the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. I learned of the efforts to save the Bay and the animals that live there. This foundation helps extinction rates of multiple fish decrease every year. This stuck out to me because it brought to my attention the Bay’s needs and how serious of an issue pollution really is. I loved that it was so hands on and it has changed me. I know lead a different lifestyle while keeping the Bay in mind.

Word Count: 110

Worst Experience:

In fifth grade I had the worst educational experience. My teacher was terrible. At the time, my father was in rehab and my parent’s marriage was going through a rough time. I was going through so much and it was really difficult for me. I was constantly singled out and she would always put me down because of my home situation. It was really unfair of her to treat me the way I was treated because of something that I wasn’t in control of.  I couldn’t even learn because of the embarrassment that I was put through in front of the class every day.

Word Count: 104