A Poet and Didn't Know It...

before...

Oh the pride! I am so bloody proud of my daughter today, I could absolutely BURST!!!





Audrey was entered into a Poetry Competition a couple of months ago, was sent home with a poem and a cassette tape (cassette tape? who the hell has a tape player anymore??)... We eventually located a tape player, and Audrey diligently memorized her poem - in the end, it was good that we had the recording, because she really picked up on the nuaunces of how to present the poem in an appropriately dramatic manner. Apparently, one of her teachers also spent a fair amount of time with all of the children who were entered in the competition, which turned out to pay off in spades!


All of this preparation culminated in a weeklong music and drama competition in Northampton - I originally did not understand, but the whole town of Northampton was involved, and there were entries from several schools!


We arrived at the venue (a church in town) and the place was heaving with nervous kids (all 8 year olds for this session) and their equally anxious parents... None of us really knew what to expect so we sat around and drank tea (is there any place in this country that you can't go to and have a cup of tea and a biscuit? The quick answer, is no...) at around 9:25 we were allowed into the church itself and everyone settled in - we were amazed to find that we would have to listen to 35 poems! Audrey presented 17th - she was incredible! Sure, there were other kids who really delivered their poems really well, and others who really struggled - all of the Brixworth Primary School kids were very well prepared - I was proud to be a part of the whole thing.


After the 35th poem, the adjudicator (why couldn't they just call her a judge? Very intimidating!) got up and began to present awards - again, I had no idea what to expect... She started out with many kudos for all of the children and there was much clapping - then she began handing out certificates. Three children were presented with 3rd place (all Brixworth!) 4 children presented with 2nd place (3 were Brixworth) - none were Audrey... Part of me thought, well, you can't win them all - I wonder who/how many get first place? another part of me thought, Audrey better damn well be one of those in first place!

And, Drumroll, please........................................ First place goes to ................................ Audrey Collins! OMG! OMG! My hands flew to my mouth and tears immediately welled in my eyes! I felt like my daughter had won the Nobel Prize or an Oscar or something, I was SO DAMN PROUD OF HER!!!! Audrey couldn't believe it either - she was absolutely beaming!

AFTER!!!

Anyway - a very big day, for Audrey - congrats kiddo, you are the best!!!