Vermont Prep

Since I know that I will be away from home for a while, I have taken some measures of preparation. First, I have spent time with my friends and family. For they are my biggest supporters and it's good to spend the little free time I do have with them. Next, I have been practicing using less social media because I know I won't have access to it for a month (I'm so sorry lol). Finally, I have increased my exercise and freshened up my wardrobe. You never know who you'll meet and I like to leave positive lasting impressions on everyone. With body, mind, and clothes in check, I'm ready to go.

The Most Beautiful Smile

Today, my family and I participated in community service project. We all go to a nursing home and delivered small "get well" packages that contain little trinkets and toiletries. Upon entering the home, we see several wilted old people sitting in wheelchairs with solemn faces. As we begin to shake their hands and give them hugs, their frowns transform into toothy (and in some cases, toothless) smiles. The first lady I approach is quietly observing all the child visitors as I shake her hand. I tell her that she is beautiful and I can see the youthful spirit come through her eyes. The next lady I approach gets out of her seat to give me a hug and tells me how she knows me. She goes on to say how she has missed me and she tells me that she loves me. I move onto a table of elderly people. I love this table because they tell me how beautiful I am (^_^). That table was so sweet that I try another one. I smile at everyone and they return the favor by smiling back. Finally, this old man who is wearing a  hood turns his head and looks at me with kind eyes. He sticks out his shaky hand and when I shake it, happiness starts radiating from his face. This is the most beautiful smile that I have ever seen. This smile did not belong to a young Cologate model, but it belonged to someone who is elderly and sick. It's amazing what a little kindness can do. Effects can be as simple as brightening someone's day or as powerful as turning an old man with dementia into smiling gentleman.

National Best Friends Day

Today is National Best Friends Day and it is only right for me to do a post dedicated to my best friend. My best friend is amazing. We have maintained a solid relationship since kindergarten. I can tell her everything and anything. Her company always makes my day.  I really hope everyone has just as awesome of a best friend as I do. Happy National Best Friends Day!

End of the Year Reflection

Today was my last day of school and I cannot be more happy. This is the 1st summer that I will have that includes no extra summer classes since the 7th grade. As I look onto new adventures, I want to take a moment to reflect on this past school year. This past school year I made new unlikely friends and met new people. I developed relationships with people I already knew. As fantastic as that was, it made the decision to transfer schools that much harder. This year I took an online class in addition to my 7 daily classes. This made my learning curriculum that much more rigorous and intense, yet had I not taken the extra class, I would have never started my blog. During this same time period, I had a personal renaissance. I began to focus more on my poetic writing and entered every poem category in my school literary fair. My work placed 7 times spanning the places of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.  One of these pieces actually placed 3rd at the District Literary Fair. This year I also  placed 1st in BPA State competition and went on to compete at Nationals in California. I had a Beyoncé moment, where I was so busy getting on a plane to LA, that I had to send one of my people to accept my literary award at the District Literary Fair. Of course, digitally documenting all of my experiences along the way while entering my first business venture. I opened up an online store called 37 Styles (www.skreened.com/camy37) and became more active on all of my social media ( Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook) while maintaining straight A's all throughout the year, being an avid volleyball player, and surpassing my duties as a debate team officer. As this last week of school comes to a close, I am very pleased with all the opportunities my school provided and all the hard work I put in to accomplish so much in just 9 months. Needless to say, I'm ready for a break.