And Then I Screamed.

Once Upon a Time...
I wrote a poem.
At the time, there were two specific contests I had my eye on.
The first, a small, more local contest.
The second, college advanced, involving the entire tri-cities.
As I kissed the envelope that held my poem, I crossed my fingers it would do well in either contest.
Results from the first came fast.
First place.
My heart did a little number as I recited "So She Dances" to a small audience huddled in Barnes and Nobel. I accepted my generous gift card with a smile and wondered for a few moments how my poem was doing in the other contest.
I pushed the thought of losing out of my mind....
Until of course, May rolled around.

On the thirteenth, I asked Ms. Nichols when she thought they would announce the winners of the CBC contest.
Together we looked through their website and read allowed "the winners of the Mid-Columbia Literary Festival Writing Competition will be announced early May."
I looked at the calendar.
Surely the thirteenth was early enough, I might still have a chance at this.
Ms. Nichols, seeing the look of worry in my eyes, told me to hold tight and wait for the weekend.
So I did.
Two weekends later, nothing.

Now its the 22nd, and by now, I've accepted the fact that I lost.
I marched down the stairs, and headed towards the computer room.
Signing into my hotmail, I searched its contents for a promised picture.
Before I clicked open though, I noticed an email from Columbia Basin College.
Preparing myself for rejection, I opened it quickly.

And Then,
I screamed.

Then screamed so more.

and then some more.

My mom came rushing in, thinking I had won a scholarship (who does she think I am? Smart or something? <--Just kidding.)
Rather than explaining to her what the email entailed, I jumped up and down pointing to the screen.

She read allowed:

"Dear Rachael Porter, 

Congratulations! Your work, So She Dances, has been chosen as a First-place winner in the Senior Poetry: 11th and 12th Grades category in this year's Mid-Columbia Literary Festival Student Writing Competition. First-place winners receive $100.

The Lit-Fest committee invites you to attend a celebration in your honor at Columbia Basin College on June 7, at 7pm, in the CBC HUB on the Main Stage. Winners will be invited to read a brief portion of their work (five minutes or less).

Again, congratulations. We look forward to meeting you. 

Sincerely, 

Gwen James 
Mid-Columbia Literary Festival Writing Competition Coordinator"

Obviously, she lived happily ever after... 

and danced the night away.