Sonatina Festival came, and went. And look at this, I'm still alive! This was something that I felt so much pressure about, I seriously considered resigning probably twice through the planning process. Back in August I was feeling that way! I really didn't know if I'd be able to successfully put it together.
Well, miracles happened, blessings occurred, stress and craziness ensued, and in the end, it all came together. 400 students participated. 44 teachers from around the valley participated. We had 10 judges, 7 of which flew in from around the northwest.
I spent SO many hours on that I couldn't even begin to count. (the president actually asked me if I would count up the hours I spent. I really couldn't!) I started working on it back in February, although it was just little things here and there until October. Then once the students signed up things were crazy!
I'm not going to talk about any more details because-you would think that after it was all said and done I would not have to think about it for a while. Well, I think today is finally my last day to have to think about it for a while! I had a meeting today about it. I also had a meeting last week. And the week before that I was still replying to emails and dealing with some minor issues. So I really hope to put all this out of my head from now until at least February!! (yes, I have to do this one more year. It may be one of the reasons I am hoping we end up moving next summer, ha ha!)
If I had to sum up my thoughts, it would be that there are a lot of good people out there willing to help. I guess I am one of them too, since I ended up "helping out" by chairing this event. But when I needed to delegate or needed fires put out, thankfully teachers came together and solved problems. It is, after all, for the students. I think with something that's a competition sometimes that's forgotten. And I did hear more than my share of catty comments and competititve words shared, for sure. But I left with an overall sense of being greatly helped out, thank goodness!
This was the best year for my own students I've had in this competition. I had one win her level (my first winner ever), and 3 others receive Honorable Mentions. I only put 8 students in, and 2 of them I knew from the start wouldn't put the work in to be prepared. So I really figure I had 6 out of 8 recognized. Yea! I have only been putting students into it for about 6 years now. But I feel a close connection with this competition because I participated in it over in Eastern Idaho while I was growing up!
Here are a couple of lame pictures I have to document some of the work put in:
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| one of the bins full of binders, copies, folders, envelopes, and more....all part of organizing a competition that has both preliminaries and live finals! |
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| This was my to-do list one day. One day. Similar to-do lists happened pretty much every day the last 2-3 weeks leading up to it. |
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| This was my celebration the night after it was over. Collin was so sweet and had left Ben and Jerry's waiting for me in the freezer when I got home. Sunday night was all about PJs, ice cream, and of course Dr. Quinn! :) |
Thanks for listening to me complain so much!
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