When I was in junior high school I was in an organization called UC Partners it was designed to help prepare kids for college.  UC stood for the University of California as they were the sponsors.  It was a great organization it had monthly meetings, tutors, mentors and extracurricular activities.  Some of which I participated - like visiting the University of California at Riverside and Los Angeles Campus's.

When I was in 8th grade there was a writing contest.  There was a poetry, a dialogue and a short story contest.  In the last day of the contest I decided I was going to enter - originally I had no intention on entering.  I didn't think I had the knack for writing and I figured I had no real shot on winning.  However, my mother gave me the push and I did.  I wrote a small story about a page in a half about the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.  It took no more than about 10-15 min. in total.  The next day I turned it in and promptly forgot about it.

Approximately 2 months later I was summoned to the principal's office.  Here I was in the President's list and such thinking G-d what did I do am I in trouble for something?  Nope, I was there with the principal, my academic advisor and someone from UCR to notify me that I had actually won the award!  Even now its sort of funny....when I think back because I put no real effort into it.  They all had read it and said they found it emotional and they were riveted to the story.  About 2 weeks later there was a ceremony (my dad and I attended) at UCRiverside where all three winners were honored by the college and were given nice introductions and plaques.  I still have mine   I will take a pic and post it here and on my flickr account.  

Posted by: Robert Woolwine at 12:07 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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