Wednesday 23 March 2011

It's kind of a big deal

A friend was telling me this week that at his last speaking engagement he held up a little video camera, took a short self-portrait, and then turned the camera on his audience explaining, "I want to show my kids that I'm kind of a big deal." To which someone in the middle-back stood and starting bowing and repeating, "We're not worthy!" (The entire audience joined him.) Well, my friend LOVED that and said, "Now I'm going to show this to my wife!"

Today Jaclyn got her scholarship notification from BYU, and it occurs to me that friends and family who are not LDS maybe need some perspective. Even just to understand that BYU is one of the largest private universities in the United States - bigger than Columbia or Boston University. And then I guess I need to explain that the Thomas S. Monson Scholarship is the most prestigious academic scholarship offered to incoming freshmen.

So what I'm saying here is that Jaclyn has been selected as a Thomas S. Monson Presidential Scholar, and it's *kind of a big deal*.



(My own smile might be even bigger.)

21 comments:

Kelly said...

Oh, this gave me tears of joy!! Congratulations Jaclyn!!! As a BYU alum, I know exactly what a big deal that is -- jaw dropping big! Fabulous!!! We are all proud of you! Hope you are celebrating big!

Kelly said...

A HUGE deal! Congratulations!

Tiffany said...

Soooooo GREAT!! Wonderful!!! We're so happy for you all!!! Wow!!! (I can't say enough big words...!)

My oldest daughter was clicking on blogs and came in to tell me this news. She was so excited for Jaclyn. [One of the boys from our ward also received the same scholarship a year ago (our claim to fame).]

Lucy said...

It's a huge deal!!! Wow. Congrats to Miss Smarty-Talented Pants and you proud parents as well:)

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Oh my! Incredible! But I have to say I'm not surprised! (And if I keep writing I'll just keep adding exclamation points, because this really is a big deal!)

Ortensia Norton said...

Yeah!! That us huge! Congrats!

Elizabeth said...

So awesome!!!

LOCKHARTS said...

That's great news! She's going to love BYU! (What is her major)?

Price Cream Parlor said...

That is so fantastic on so many levels! Congrats to her - and congrats to you as parents as well!

Michelle Alley said...

Wow - what an achievment!

Marie said...

Wow!Wow!Wow! Congratulations, Jaclyn! This is amazing!

You totally deserve it!

PS: You are beautiful! Seriously, look at that photo!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jaclyn,

Your mom told me about your good scholarship news this morning and I just wanted to say that I have not been able to stop smiling about that all day! That really is just so exciting. You have worked hard and are such a good kid, I just wanted to say congratulations. I am so happy for you!

Erin

Denise said...

Kind of an ENORMOUS deal. I used to work in the financial aid/scholarship office at BYU, and you wouldn't believe the amazing kids who were turned down for that scholarship. She must be truly exceptional. Congratulations to her and to her fabulous parents!!!

Emma said...

oh good golly! that is definatly a major big deal. marissa was saying that it would have been way cooler if president monson presented it to her but ya know just the fact she got it is enough for me
plus also that is like the prettiest picture i have ever seen!!!!!!!!

stacy{s} said...

Wow! That is so great. I'm sure many hours of hard work went into it. :) Congrats to you and to her. Now I can say I kinda sorta "know" a Monson Scholarship recipient. Hope she has a great BYU experience!

Jill said...

That is so incredibly fantastic! Congratulations to Jaclyn and to you guys as parents, amazing!

Mark Bore said...

Congrats on the scholarship! Of course it is to the rival of the school I attended ;) Go Utes! LOL

The Dunham's said...

Amazing Jaclyn!!! Huge congratulations to you! That is definately a big deal! So proud to have you as a tutor! You will LOVE your years at BYU..they are definately some of my favorites and I still get a fuzzy feeling everytime I return to campus! Enjoy!!

Heidi Gedlaman said...

I'm not a blog commenter, as you know Barb. But this one warrants some out-loud. Congratulations to Jaclyn, and to you and Ken as her amazing parents. So impressive, so exciting, clearly well deserved. Fantastic.
xoxo Heidi

Jenny Lynn said...

This such great news to read as I catch up with you and your family. It has been some time since I have commented. This needed a comment for sure.

Jenny
http://simplyafamily.blogspot.com/

michelle said...

A HUGE deal!! Congratulations!