Saturday night while watching the Miss America Pageant, I thought of all the accomplishments that culminate to this one ending competition. These outstanding women had decided what they wanted, paid the price and were now reaping the rewards of their hard work. While watching the pageant, the finalists were on stage and a few of their accomplishments were written across the screen. For Miss Arizona, Jennifer Sedler, (who ended up as 4th runner-up) one of her accomplishments was having a poem published in 5th grade. In checking our records, it was our company Creative Communication, that published her poem “Hawaiian Seas” in the Fall of 2002.
When students enter our art or writing contests, they are students like everyone else. As they move on in life, talents are developed. A 5th grade student becomes Miss Arizona. Or another student, Angela Bishop, who wrote to me the following:
My name is Angela Bishop, and almost ten years ago you selected one of my poems to be published in the Southern edition of your book. I was 15 and it was the highlight of my young life. Although it has been nearly a decade, I just wanted to finally express the thanks I have felt all these years. I cannot thank you enough for accepting my work and publishing it. I have been writing since I was a child and have continued to write. I am currently working on my second novel. So, thank you, thank you, for the confidence you unknowingly gave me in 1999. I plan to keep writing for as long as I possibly can. Your poetry contest is a wonderful thing, and you open a window for tomorrow’s great writers to find their way through and gain the confidence in their work. Keep it going, you are making dreams into realities.
To both Jennifer and Angela and thousands of other students, I am glad that we have been there for you. We helped you in creating an accomplishment that you can be proud of and add to your resume. When students wonder if they should enter a contest, I give a strong affirmative. You may not be accepted to be published, but if you don’t enter you know there isn’t a chance of being published or being a top ten winner. Sometimes you have to take a risk and enter a contest. It may change your life. Just ask Jennifer and Angela.
Celebrating Art 