Speech Contest

Mikey and Isaac both performed in their class speech contest last week and were chosen to perform in the school speech contest. Mikey's was more of a showcase where they chose the 9 best speeches in the Kindergarten classes to perform in front of the students and parents. He was a little shy but did a great job with his poem "Snow Colors" by Aileen Fisher. Isaac won 3rd place in his class speech contest and then performed in front of over 200 students, faculty and parents and was even judged by a panel of judges for the school speech contest for the lower grades. He didn't win but he did a fantastic job. He could recite the poem perfectly at home, with his adorable little gestures but he got a little nervous when he got up in front of such a big crowd. He stumbled over a few words but still did a great job. They judge them on articulation, level of difficulty, enunciation, fluency, etc. As I sat there in the audience watching him, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for Isaac. I remember 8 years ago wondering if he would be able to talk and now here he was reciting a poem in front of 200 peers! That's quite a victory for that kid! I'm so proud of him and how hard he works. At Challenger they memorize and recite a new poem every week in front of the class and are graded on their memorization and performance. He works so hard each week, writing each poem out so he can memorize and then practicing on his own and with us so he is confident when he recites them on Fridays. And I don't even remind him or push him. He is just so determined to do well. I love that kid!