Last Thursday was my Spring Concert.All day I'd been pretty excited about it, and then during study hall at the end of the school day,as a percusssionist, I had to walk to the High School gym where the concert was going to be later,and help set things up.

Well,to get tothe main point of this,I need to explain how a few weeks prior to this concert,8th graders in orchestra,band,and *jazz band(*which I am not in),could fill out an application for a special achievement award.One person in each group could get it.

I filled out an application for orchestra,but not for band since I wouldn't stand a chance.One reason being that there are many more 8th graders in band than there are in orchestra and also because I don't even like band.

I truly thought I deserved the orchestra award.But I knew that my only competition is a wonderful violinist,Haylee.If I didn't get it,I knew she would,and I was glad of that.

Well,as I was helping a 7th grader,Kelly,who also plays the bells in band with me and the violin in orchestra,move the xylophone,another 7th grade girl came up and said to us,cautiously looking around,that she saw the paper that said who won what award.

"Haylee."

Kelly looked at me sympathetically and hugged me.She I wanted that award really bad.I told her I was fine and how happy I was for Haylee.I really was happy for her,because God,Haylee rocks as a violinist!But I wasn't really fine.I couldn't help but feel upset.

I told my friends Leah,Brianna and Kristin about what happened when I returned to study hall.Leah hugged me too,lol.She's in band,Brianna is in chorus,and Kristin's little sister plays violin,so they'd all be at the concert for one reason or another.

On the bus ride home I had my little cry and mnetal pity party,but when I got home,I started feeling real good.In fact,I was thrilled that Haylee got it!And I was happy I found out ahead of time so I wouldn't break down crying in the middle of the concert,lol.

So the concert did come,and I played my heart out with that cello.And before our last song,as he always does,Mr.Olmstead came to the mircophone and said he'd like to announce who the award would go to.Ah,but here is the interesting part.He said two of his students tied.Kelly looked back at me with a grin.

First Mr.Olmstead started reading out Haylee's application,at the end he announced her name,and I cheered as loudly for her as I could as she walked up to recieve her plaque.

And then...

"She's been on honor roll and high honor roll...She is a member of church groups...She is a member of the band and orchestra and will be returning to orchestra in high school...She has attended College for Kids three years in a row..."And so on,with these seemingly familier bits of information...

"I'd like to present this medal to Emily M_____(you don't need to know the rest)"

My mom said everyone screamed louder for me than they did at any point of that concert.I wouldn't know,I was on the brink of collapsing as I went to shake Mr.Olmstead's hand and take my medal.

I sat back down,wiped a few tears away,praying no one noticed them,and put the mdeal over my neck so that it rested against my chest with seven other medals won the previously(Nothing compared to Halyee's sevenTEEN medals,lol).We played our last song,Stars and Stripes Forever,and I went to join the band people.

I was in a trance for the rest of the night!I could barely get around without being hugged or congradulated.I was so excited that I had the honor of winning with Haylee.She is so awesome!

So that was really cool.I'll never forget that night.Kelly had tricked me,she and several others knew I was getting that award.Kelly is a better secret keeper than she thinks...lol!

The next night was a dance.Not the 8th grade grad. dance which they CANCELED after us hirls went out and bought expensive dress for!Just a regular,informal dance that 7th and 6th graders were invited to. But it was fun!

My neck is still sore from head banging!I flirted for the first time with the new 7th grader,Brad.It was weird...I really don't think I've ever flirted before.But he started it!Anyway,I danced with him a little,but I never slow danced with anyone that night.

We were singing the Barbie Song and Brianna taught how to sqaure dance to Cotton Eye Joe.Shannon taught me how to prep dance to crap,er,I mean,rap.How low can you goooo....

That was a load off after what I had to do earlier that day.Run the mile.The hated,horrible mile.I managed to push myself at the end and improve by abou 40 seconds.I'm so glad that's over.We spend all year waiting and dreading...

What an interesting week....