Got a call one afternoon around 3:15 from Principal Fox of Matthew's school. My first thought...."What the HELL did he do? I'm going to kill him and punish him when I get home." He immediately starts the call with "Nothing's wrong. All is fine. I need to tell you something." Me- "OK. What's up?" It's official. Matthew has won first place for 7th grade for the State of Connecticut in the Daughters of American Revolution Essay Contest on American History. That is quite an honor. All the teachers at school are all very excited. Matthew will have to attend the award ceremony in Mystic, Connecticut on April 24th. He will have to read his essay in front of a very large audience and get dressed up in a suit. Getting him to read the essay won't be the issue, prying him into the suit, shirt, tie and dress shoes, that will be a challenge. He'd rather stand up in front of the audience in sweat pants, t-shirt and sneakers. Combing his hair would be completely optional if it were up to him. We're immensely proud of his achievement. As the winner for the State of Connecticut, his essay has now been submitted to the Regional Division and we will find out how he fares on that. If he wins that one, he will move onto the National level. Keep your fingers crossed that we'll take it all the way to Washington, D.C. for the National Award Ceremony.
