Jaclyn

Jaclyn had Track & Field this week. She's been most successful in the past in medium distance running events, so I was more than a little surprised when she signed up for javelin this year.

Her explanation: Come on, how many times in your life do you get to throw a giant spear?

I love her answer, it contains a Carpe Diem sentiment that I hope she keeps.

In other Jaclyn news, she found out today that her teachers have selected her to be valedictorian, which is something she was hoping for.

The 9th grade students nominate each other for the opportunity to give various speeches at grad: toast to the parents, toast to the teachers, blessing over the banquet, and to be the valedictorian. When Jaclyn first told me about this I thought it was strange. You have to audition for valedictorian? Isn't that something you earn by your academic achievement and participation in school activities? But the more I thought about it, the more the audition made sense to me, at least from an event standpoint. The teachers are ensuring some quality control on the speeches, very understandable for a jr. high grad.

Jaclyn's hope to *win* the spot of valedictorian was enhanced by her unsolicited nomination to give the blessing over the banquet. The students failed to nominate their friends for this position (no surprise there), so one of the teachers nominated Jaclyn and her good friend Megan (both LDS). Jaclyn knew she wouldn't be selected for both, therefore she hoped all the more to 'give the commencement speech' (a phrase Ken coined rather than say valedictorian, I already explained our issue with auditioning for a traditionally academically earned title).

Jaclyn is doubly, no possibly triply happy. She doesn't have to offer a public prayer at grad, she is the valedictorian, and she gets to give the commencement speech.