District Activity Day!

4-H Disctict Activity day was Wednesday, June 23! Faith and I each presented for the very first time, she with her "Dixie Dulcimer" presentation, and I with my "More Than the Stars and Bars" on the flags of the Confederacy. Out of the two girls in her division, Faith placed first and is going on to State competition in July! I placed third in my division...out of three...and since only the top two advance to State, I am finished for this year. Maybe next year though...I've learned so much! I really had no idea what to expect.

9:30 - Finally arriving at Person High School without much difficulty, we begin to unload and transport our props into the school. I believe there were some interesting glances aimed at us, we being "all decked out" in our Civil War period apparel. Registering and receiving "directions" to our rooms, we set off down the hall and scribbled our names on the Contestant lists. After depositing our things in the rooms, we headed back down to talk with some of our 4-H friends. Mid-conversation, all the lights in the school went off for several minutes. At last, they blinked back on and the day resumed.
10:15 - time for me to head back to the room. I was presenting first! I had never met the two other girls in my division, they being from Guilford county. Both of them had presented before, this being Mikayla's second year and Kimrey's fourth.
10:35 - "Mattie Thompson? You may begin setting up." I carried my things to the from of the room, spread the tablecloth, and arranged my props. "You may begin when you are ready." You'll be fine, I kept repeating to myself. No need to be nervous. Yeah, right, exclaimed the other side of my brain. Look at all of this! You'll never make it anywhere.  I listened to the wrong side. I was so nervous I could hardly think straight. Launching into my beginning, I began speeding through my presentation. I don't think I forgot anything, but it all went by so fast, I'm not exactly sure what went on. Upon completion, I gathered my things and headed back to my seat. "Great job," whispered Kimrey. "That was really good!" I smiled weakly and slid into the desk. Kimrey began setting up, and they opened the door.
Mom poked her head in. "Mattie? Are you staying?"
I nodded.
"That's fine; do you want me to take your props to the car?"
"Sure! Thanks, Mom."
The door closed, and just as Kimrey was about to begin, the lights cut off. Again. They weren't off for as long this time, I don't think. A few minutes later, the judges told Kimrey she could start. Wow, I thought. She's so good!! With a professional demeanor she explained the three branches of our government, and how they related to the constitution. She made it both interesting and educational, and I was extremely impressed. Mikayla was next, and she also did a fabulous job. I knew then I had no chance, but it didn't really bother me. This isn't about winning - it's about making new friends, learning new things, and improving ourselves and each other. Leaving the room, I saw Mom and Faith down the hall. "Trisdon hasn't started yet," Mom informed me. "I think we're going to watch him next. Noah's already in there with Nathan."
After Trisdon's presentation, we started back towards the front doors. The decision about lunch was made while we watched a few of the 4-H Talent participants. Deciding to go to Pizza Hut with the Runnels, everyone (including the Runnels) loaded up into the Excursion and we were off! There was only one waitress working tables, so it took quite a while for us to get seated and eat lunch.Good times...
Back at the school, we learned that the Awards Assembly had begun. Locating a door at the back of the gym, we quickly make our way down the hall and through the door. As the eight of us climbed the stairs, I could feel several eyes on our group. Late again, I sighed. The story of our lives.
First place in the 9-10 age group, and the top two in the 11-13 and 14-18 age groups advance to State. Since there were not as many people as there usually are, only a few occupied each category - generally only two or three people. Several of my friends made it to State, (AJ, Anna, MJ, Trisdon, Nathan, Hunter, Daniel, Kimrey, Faith, of course, and ...somebody else) and I'm hoping they do well. We shall see!

In all, the day was a huge success. I made a new friend, learned a lot, and had TONS of fun!! I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do my presentation on next year...