Oral Interpretation Festival

"A friend is like a flower,

a rose to be exact,

Or maybe like a brand new gate

that never comes unlatched.

A friend is like an owl,

both beautiful and wise.

Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,

whose spirit never dies.

A friend is like a heart that goes

strong until the end.

Where would we be in this world

if we didn't have a friend? "

~  Emma Guest ~

Miriam participated in the Annual Oral Interpretation Festival of El Dorado County. She recited the poem "A Friend" by Emma Guest. It was not a competition. They were evaluated against their own potential as determined by the judges. Miriam was rated "Superior" which was the highest rating any participant can achieve. This is not a declaration that the possibility for improvement is nonexistent, however, for a fourth grader I think she did very well! For someone who enjoys speaking in public, I think this is a good training for her. So much can be learned from watching other students perform. Mrs. McFarlin, Brooks Elementary School coach, did a great job.

The event took place at the Pioneer Elementary School which is technically located over the mountains and the hills of El Dorado. It seemed so far away, probably because we worried that we might miss Miriam's performance. However, because there were hundreds of students attending, it took them longer to organize everyone allowing us to arrive there with dignity. :)

The three of us were fortunate that Tim arrived the day before.  It was good for Miriam to have both parents there.  Tim appreciated having been able to be there for Miriam even if the odds were slim after they have missed one flight on their way back from Paris.   For me, it was great that I did not have to drive that narrow and twisty road going there or else I would have arrived there when all is over. 

Tim and I brought some Peeps for Miriam and we all appreciated the free ice cream at the end!