My son, Joey, is involved in BETA, a national organization that promotes the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among high school students. The state convention was coming up and students could select from a variety of contests to compete in. Joey is a talented performing artist and has sung for large audiences all over the south. I naturally assumed that he would sign up for the talent competition and would once again be up there on the stage belting out some classic tune. But no.... he came home and announced that he was participating in the colored pencil drawing contest. I had to ask the obvious question...”You realize you don’t draw, don’t you?” As best I understand it, only one talent act could enter from each school and a large group of students wanted to dance. Joey graciously stepped out of the spotlight and never questioned why he couldn’t be the one to perform. This young singing artist is signed with a record label and has songs for sale on iTunes. His performance would surely have represented the school well, but he recognized that he was not the only talent who wanted to compete. I was proud of him for being considerate of others, stepping aside and supporting his friends.
The day of the competition arrived and we were ill prepared. We woke that morning in a panic and found ourselves digging though desk drawers and craft bins trying to piece together a pack of colored pencils. My daughter had half of a pack of 24 pencils and a giant pink feathery pencil that would have to work. Joey shoved the pencils in his pocket and he was off to the convention.
Our school didn't take home any trophies for colored pencil drawings, but they did take 2nd in the state for the talent competition. I don't think a trophy would have made me any more proud than the fact that my son demonstrated excellent character that day. Colored pencil drawing may not be his gift, but he was comfortable enough with his own talent to support his friends in theirs.
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