Caleb Wins DAR Contest, Inducted into NJHS
One Saturday morning in Febraury Caleb and I went to the MacGregor Apartments in Sterling to attend a meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution. We were there because Caleb had won an essay contest, which had actually been a school assignment. The subject was Paul Revere. The contest was for all sixth graders in the "greater" Sterling area (if there is such a thing). Caleb really was not excited to attend the DAR meeting. I could relate to his feelings; I remembered attending American Legion meetings and ceremonies when I particpated in the Oratoracle Contest in high school. I was always uncomfortable. Caleb was simply bored. I encouraged him to smile and talk to everyone, which he did. He survived--and he won $50. Not a bad reward for talking with nice old ladies for an hour on a Saturday morning.
On March 1st Caleb was inducted into Haxtun's NJHS (National Junior Honor Society). In early February he received notice that he was invited to apply for admission, which he did, but since the invitation was based soley on academic merit he had to submit a written application and be interviewed by a faculty panel. Caleb had no trouble with the application, but he was pretty worried about the interview. The morning of the interview he woke up at 6:15, showered and dressed quickly, and was at the table by 6:45 so that we could go over his interview questions again. A few of the questions, such as "Why do you want to be in NJHS?" and "Define scholarship" and "Define leadership" were tough for him. (The first time we asked why he wanted to be in NJHS he replied, "So I can go to the ranch this summer." [The ranch is in the mountains west of Denver; the kids go for training and to do service projects, but it's a fun time, too.]) We worked with Caleb to help him figure out how to answer the questions in a way that would please the faculty council but not be dishonest. He ended up doing really well in the interview. One of the teachers on the committee said that Caleb's definition of leadership was the best they'd ever heard. Too bad neither he nor I can remember it now. In any case, here are some pictures from the induction.
P.S. Caleb also enjoys scouts. Early in basketball season his coach scheduled a practice for a Wednesday evening. Caleb didn't want to miss scouts, so he told his coach--without talking to us--that he couldn't be at practice .
On March 1st Caleb was inducted into Haxtun's NJHS (National Junior Honor Society). In early February he received notice that he was invited to apply for admission, which he did, but since the invitation was based soley on academic merit he had to submit a written application and be interviewed by a faculty panel. Caleb had no trouble with the application, but he was pretty worried about the interview. The morning of the interview he woke up at 6:15, showered and dressed quickly, and was at the table by 6:45 so that we could go over his interview questions again. A few of the questions, such as "Why do you want to be in NJHS?" and "Define scholarship" and "Define leadership" were tough for him. (The first time we asked why he wanted to be in NJHS he replied, "So I can go to the ranch this summer." [The ranch is in the mountains west of Denver; the kids go for training and to do service projects, but it's a fun time, too.]) We worked with Caleb to help him figure out how to answer the questions in a way that would please the faculty council but not be dishonest. He ended up doing really well in the interview. One of the teachers on the committee said that Caleb's definition of leadership was the best they'd ever heard. Too bad neither he nor I can remember it now. In any case, here are some pictures from the induction.
Caleb with his good friends Collyn Heinz, left, and Bo Sukup, right. (Collyn's mom is his principal, and Bo's dad is a state trooper. We tease Caleb that we have powerful people on our side should we ever need them.)
Listening intently.
The entire group. Taylor is in the right hand corner. (Notice that three other boys besides Caleb are wearing ties. Two of them are on the far left. They're in Caleb's class; they called him to see what he was wearing and then did as he did. Wouldn't it be great if that continued throughout his Haxtun days?)
Taylor and Caleb have reverted back to their younger childhood days--great friends.
P.S. Caleb also enjoys scouts. Early in basketball season his coach scheduled a practice for a Wednesday evening. Caleb didn't want to miss scouts, so he told his coach--without talking to us--that he couldn't be at practice .
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