A.C.E. Regional Convention

This year, Abby, Sadie, and I competed at the A.C.E. Regional Student Convention, or "State." We had 5 days packed with fun, competition, learning, and...lots of exercise! Here are some pictures from our week.

It was weird going without our cousins. We've never done it without them! 

We missed reminiscing with them. :( 

But oh well. It was a blessed week. Thank you to everyone who made it happen for us! Grandmama, Granddaddy, Mama, Daddy, all of the A.C.E. and Word of Life staff, and many other people!

We had the pleasure of spending time with the Boggess' who brought Ben and Sam along as well!

"The Suncoast Regional Student Convention is now officially open!" :)

My random brother...:oP

:oD

It is way too early to be walking a mile to get breakfast. :oP

Little buddies. :)

The sunrise on our way back from breakfast.

Beautiful Florida scenery--even if I was half asleep. I'm never too tired to take a picture. :oD

The long-awaited day--the day of music competition...Our hearts are in our throats and our stomachs are sick. Why does this happen every year??

Sadie's solo--"Blessed Assurance." Lovely! :o)

Abby's solo was "No More Night." A powerful song! Maybe I'll figure out how to post a couple videos. :)

Sam concentrating on his chess game....

Matt's ready for lunch! :)

Abby being...random. :oP

Watchit, sistah. :oP

Archery, obviously...:)

Rachel's violin solo

Abby and I tuning for our instrumental duet...

"Canon in D/As the Deer"

My violin solo was "The King of Love My Shepherd Is"

One of the evening rallys.

Ben...throwing the beach ball. :oP There was a race. Our side of the auditorium was supposed to get the ball to the back of the room, and back again without it touching the ground. That was interesting....

Will wasted no time in rooting for his team.....;o)

Mr. Ballanger giving an excellent message

Mrs. Stevens and Margaret trying out Mr. Smith's Co2 cannons. ;o)

Ping pong after the rally. :)

Haha! I love this one....Everyone's expressions are priceless. :oP

Mr. Smith

Um...Ben.

:oD

(Okay, okay. I know...excessive amount of little brother pictures...) :oP

Determined treasure-hunters. :)

 Matthew giving out the awards for the day's treasure hunt.

 An exceptional command performance. The quartet from West Meadows.

 PACE bowl

 Mr Ivey!!! :oD

 Some of the Graves came up for a day. :)

 Stacy and Abby :)

 Ben's oratory--"One of America's Greatest Heroes." It was about Peter Francisco. He was asked to do a command performance that night!

 Abby's Expressive Reading presentation--"Isaiah 53"

 More Table Tennis competition...

 Ummm....Hello, Timothy. :oP

 Mrs. Armstrong and Abby. :)

 Ceeeuteness. :D

 Gooooo Semminoles!!
(Not for real....That's just what they named our team for the week) :oP

 Our exceptional speaker--Mr. Ballanger.

 Game for the night--An eating relay race. You have to eat whatever is in the bag....Sam got M&M's. Some people weren't so fortunate...

 He got sardines....and threw them up later. :o/

 Checking out the exhibits...

 Sadie was asked to do a command performance for her poetry recitation of "Jonah and the Whale." She did a great job--even though she was extremely nervous!

 The awards ceremony on the last day--
Sam did very well.
He won 1st in archery
3rd in table tennis,
5th in chess, and I'm probably missing something. :)

 I got 1st in my violin solo,
 and 1st place in poetry writing.

Abby and I got 2nd in our science exhibit,
1st in our instrumental duet, and
3rd in our vocal duet,

 Abby got 2nd place in her vocal solo, which is absolutely amazing, especially for her first year!
There are usually about 50 or 60 soloists!
1st place in expressive reading,
3rd place in her photography,
1st place in essay writing,
and 1st place in CAP--in other words, she had the overall highest score at the convention!

 Abby, Sadie, and I got 1st place in Bible Bowl!

 Ben got 1st place in his oratory,
4th in his photography,
and I don't remember what he placed in archery and chess. (Sorry, Ben!!)

 Sadie got 1st place in poetry recitation,
and 4th in her photography!

All of us contestants!

 ...and us with all of our wonderful friends who came up to the awards ceremony!

 CJ and Margaret got a medal for being such good "staff." Mr. Smith put them to work all week, so they were the "important people on campus." ;o)

Well y'all. I hope I haven't completely bored you with all of my pictures and lists of awards! Also, if I forgot any awards anyone got, let me know!


Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalm 107:8