it was my 5th grade award ceremony, and they requested that every student and their families attend because it was also a social event. the students had to sit with their classes though, which i thought was weird.

anyway, since it was a school award ceremony, i thought it was only going to be about academics. turns out, that wasn't the case. There was an award for the boy and girl who were the most kindest, generous and all around most friendly person of the class. OK, look i went to a public elementary school and there were about 300 kids in my class. I was also not one of the "popular" kids, so i assumed the award was going to one of them...but then they called my name, and a boy who i sat across from in science. i wasn't even sure that they had called my name, i sat there stunned for a few seconds.

after walking up to the stage (awkwardly smiling the entire time) and getting my "good two shoes" award, i sat back down and they continued with the ceremony.

Afterwords, i found my mom talking to the Vice Principal, where it turns out my vote for the award was unanimous. WHAT??? i wasn't even popular! i still to this day never understood how it was possible that i had won the award. winning an award for being yourself? and when you're only 11?

many years later, my dad still calls me his "Jackie King Award" girl.