The second day of the convention — aka the first day of the competitions is always the scariest. Just starting to get used to the idea of performances, everyone gets worried, and sometimes forgets their words. On this day, we started to explore the place where the convention was held, found out that when it’s boring you can play pool, and we also got the first medals (everyone was upset at that moment, because we wanted even more sparkling pendants on our necks).
“I can’t speak,” I panic, “And tomorrow I won’t be able to get on my feet at all.”
The third day of the convention was marked for me by the loss of my voice, and the One Act Play. It was funny how I regained my voice for ten minutes, having played the role, and then couldn’t speak the whole next day. On the same day, all sporting events ended, so that the last day of the competition was given completely to the struggle of minds. It was also that evening that the grand finale of a beautiful story staged by our teachers was shown.
“Pssst,” someone scratched at our door at about two in the morning. On the threshold was Mrs. Helen,
“How much do you love me? Can you show your One Act Play again tomorrow?
A voice asked in the silence, “Do we even have a choice?”
On Thursday, everyone watched with interest as the smartest people in our schools tried to get places in the PACE Bowl and the Russian Brain Ring competitions (the questions in the latter are really difficult, the second and third places we got are quite justified). On the same day, for the first time in the history of the convention, a theater was shown, where we, equipped with microphones and well-placed lights, showed our acting skills. In the evening, everyone present could watch how the senior 1 students frantically tried to earn merits to buy snacks. Also, we all watched the epic show put on for us.
“Yes it’s you, 100%.”
«I won’t be sure until my name is called.»
And here is the day X. The very day that everyone was waiting for, feared, and hoping to receive something. The Award Ceremony was held this time on the last day of the convention, right after breakfast. We literally sat on packed suitcases listening to the names of those who were lucky enough to win. By the end, many of my friends got medals of different places, and I even took some of mine off, because of an impressive 11 medals around my neck. And here is the moment for which some go to the convention, the announcement of those who received the highest score. I did not fully believe that it was I who would get this place, and only when I went on stage I believed that all my efforts were worth it (I even got my voice back when I gave the speech).
“This convention was better than last year!”
“It was a lot of fun!”
«Say that it was fun once again…»
“Let’s agree that it wasn’t bad, shall we? And you owe us a pizza party!”
Opinions about this convention vary, as always. But at this convention, we learned how to win and lose, quickly inflate balloons aand drink more tea than necessary, wish happy birthday and quietly play board games, feeling who the mafia was, and most importantly, we learned to believe in a miracle and that with friends it’s always fun, no matter where we are! Have a great year! We are waiting for the next convention. May it be even better than this one!
Dasha Gramadskikh
