Defining Moments.

It's funny how some things you don't forget and some feelings you can hold onto no matter how significant or insignificant. If you let something impact your life enough, then it might help define how you see yourself. I still remember the day in Fourth Grade that I won Third Place in the Spelling Bee. I really did not think anything about being in the spelling bee, I did not study the words and I had not really given it much thought. I got up there to spell each word and before I knew it, I had made it to the bottom three. My teacher was very proud of me and I was also the only Fourth Grader to win. First and Second Place went to a Fifth Grader and a Sixth Grader. Our picture was taken for the yearbook and I received a HUGE trophy. I did not really know what to do, I was more on the shy side in Fourth Grade, although I talked to my friends and family plenty...I did not know how to go about carrying a huge trophy back with me to my classroom. I guess most kids would have bragged about it to the class or shown it off, but I think I just put it in my locker not wanting to cause a scene, then later putting it in my backpack or holding it in my lap on the bus ride home. But as soon as I got home with that trophy, I showed it off to my brother of course! He seemed impressed. My parents were really happy for me, and displayed my trophy on the mantel in the living room. The truth is I have always loved spelling. I always visualize words in my head and people often ask me how to spell things. It is fun to think back about taking that big trophy home with me and I still remember overhearing my fourth-grade teacher bragging to the fifth and sixth grade teachers how her young fourth grader placed Third. :)