Pride

Pride, felt by everyone at some point in their lives but it hits an entire new level when a parent looks at a child. Yesterday was the District 10 Jr. High Solo & Ensemble contest at Riverview H.S. outside of Coshoton. Everywhere you look there were parents, and directors, with looks of pride on their faces! Every parent as a right to proud at such an event, having participated in some in my youth I know the courage, strength, and practice required to stand there in front of complete strangers and friends and be judged on your performance. We didn't stay the entire day but the Licking Heights students we did see, and scores we saw from them were something to be very proud of!
Sometimes being a step parent is hard, but as I watched Andy yesterday and Amber in February I had a few moments of being "the proud mother". During each of their solos I had to take a minute to blink back the tears. I get on them a lot about practicing and learning new skills on their instruments, but when I see them standing there earning scores that are in the top tier I know that the fighting and eye rolling is all worth it. In February I watched Amber play her trumpet, an instrument she's only be playing for 2 years, in front of a room packed with people and score a II (Excellent) rating. I was so overwhelmed and can only wonder what her Senior year will hold. As we were leaving that day we talked with Andy about his Solo and Ensemble Contest, he told us then he was going to get a I (superior) in everything he did! At that point he was planning on 3 performances, a percussion Solo, percussion Ensemble and vocal ensemble. The vocal ensemble was cut so yesterday he got to be the "cool drummer". He started the day with his solo on marimba (one of my favorite instruments) and did a WONDERFUL job. After lunch his Ensemble played, Andy on Snare, also a magnificent job by all the students and true to form - Andy scored a Superior in BOTH! Just like he said he would. I think the entire cafeteria heard by "YES!" when Mark told me - I even had to check the Solo score for myself!
We celebrated last night with a trip to Diary Queen (not great for the Weight Watchers, but we don't go out for ice cream that often and it's still early in the week.... and I walked a mile around the track in between performances.) I know Andy was excited about his performances and so were we!
Yesterday was just another reminder for me of how important music and sports can be for kids and how I hope Albert will learn from watching his siblings and go on to greatness as well in whatever extra curricular activity he finds suits him.