The kids entered the Steel Days Art Contest in American Fork, and I’m quite proud of them. I just went down to the Library, where the entries are displayed, to see if we need to go there for the awards and artists’ reception tonight, and was pleased to see that 3 of the 4 entries have won awards. Jenna and Natalie each won a 1st place, and Megan won a 2nd place. Cole, unfortunately, didn’t win anything for his quick cartoon drawing of a “pot gut” (Rocky Mountain Groundsquirrel, for those of you not familiar with that term), but I honestly didn’t expect him to win anything. The competition gets stiffer the older you get.

I think it’s a good thing for kids to enter contests like this. They should experience both winning and losing while they are young, so they aren’t so afraid of losing later on in life. If you haven’t experienced a few “safe loss experiences” you might be afraid to try because you are afraid to lose.

Remember those goofy junior high school talent shows? Same thing. We tried out, thought we might not make it, and were suprised when we did make it, although we probably shouldn’t have–those were horrible skits!

Another thought about school–remember the class American Problems? I’m reminded of it every day when Megan practices the piano. Beethoven’s 8th. In my mind I’m hearing: Thou sparks from flame immortal, Chariman brought of noble birth. Born with fire a mighty leader, guide thy peoples of the earth. Let thy magic bring together…..