Day 154: A Proud Moment

As I discussed yesterday, I had graduation, but there was one portion of graduation that I didn't really mention anywhere in that post. Well, two portions, but they go together, so that's why I didn't mention either of them initially.

Yesterday proved to be, honestly, one of the proudest days of my life. My best friend, Megan, went up, faced her fears, and gave a speech to the entire community as our Salutatorian. She absolutely hates public speaking, like a lot, and she mentions it in her speech, which I share just down below, but she did perfect. She could not have done a better job, and I honestly can't even find the words to say how proud I am of her. I think that says enough though...the fact that I'm speechless.

Here's Megan's amazing speech from our graduation:

Now, did you catch the Disney reference? I didn't the first time I read it, but it's another reason I'm so proud. I mean, to go around speaking "Disney" all day long is another thing, but she honestly put in a Disney reference without even knowing it. That's pretty awesome if you ask me. And if you didn't catch what it was, my hat says it all...

Congratulations Megan, you were amazing yesterday, and I am absolutely proud of you, and very very lucky to call you my best friend. Now let's go out and have a great big and very beautiful tomorrow!

Here's today's Disney History: 2011: Sadly on this day, Disney Legend Wally Boag passes at the age of 90 in California. Born in Oregon in September 1920, Boag became an important part of Disneyland's live entertainment in 1955 when he became a leading man at the park's Golden Horseshoe Revue. As Pecos Bill, he entertained Disneyland park guests five days a week, three times a day, for nearly 7 years. Boag also provided the voice of the Audio-Animatronics parrot, Jose, in the Enchanted Tiki Room. 

Have a magical day!

Day 107: No Disneyland

Today is my first day back to normal life after spending the last few days at our State FBLA conference, and sadly, I have to report that I'm not headed to nationals this summer...and therefore, there will be no Disneyland this summer. I received 6th place at the competition in Public Speaking II, and while I'm fine with not winning, it is still a bit disappointing to not go to Nationals...and specifically for me, Disneyland.

But since my speech was largely about how FBLA has changed me as a person, and about my goals to become an Imagineer, I figure that I shouldn't dwell on it for too long. Life does go on, after all, and we always keep moving forward. That's certainly something both FBLA and Disney have taught me, and it makes no sense for me to stop listening to that advice now.

Honestly though, I think more than anything, I'm just awful tired. The state conference is an amazing event...but the downside is that you get very little sleep...and therefore, everyone who went is walking around with glazed over eyes today. I have to say that I found it a bit amusing when I got out of bed and it felt as if my feet had been to Disneyland without me...when in reality it was just from wearing my heels so much the past two days.

Hopefully there will be a trip to Disneyland in my future though, and in fact, I know there will be, because I'm not going to stop chasing my dream of becoming an Imagineer. I may have lost, and I may not be going to Disneyland this summer, but I'll get over it, and I'll continue to obsess over Disney as I always do. It's how life works.

We keep moving forward.

Here's Today's Disney History: 1924: Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures and the Louis B. Mayer Company merge to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...or MGM. MGM will become one of the biggest producers and distributors of films and television programs and even team-up with Disney to open a Florida theme park in 1989 called Disney-MGM Studios (known today as Disney's Hollywood Studios).

Have a magical day!

Day 33: FBLA

Today was my regional FBLA competition. I know I talked briefly about it the other day, but since today was the actual competition and it largely involved Disney for me, I figured I'd talk about it a little more.

I participate in Public Speaking II, which means I write a speech, memorize it and then present it to a group of judges. This is my third and final year in FBLA, and I'm more determined to go to nationals than ever. Why? Because it's in a little city called Anaheim, California...which just happens to be the location of Disneyland. I have been excited about it for quite a while...and I really want to make it to nationals. At the moment though, I really want to focus on state and getting to finals. One step at a time. One step at a time. 

But anyway, we don't have a lot of guidelines for writing this speech, other than it needs to include an FBLA goal and be centered on Business. This year, since it is my final year, I decided to do a speech on just how much FBLA has impacted me. I don't want to talk too much about the content here though, just in case someone out there is reading...but it does center largely around how FBLA has changed me as a person and has helped me in my decision to become an Imagineer. Of course, it's a challenging occupation  but basically because of FBLA I am prepared to do whatever it takes to reach that goal. 

And so, I ended up recieving first place, and that means I'm going to state competition. I won first place the last two years as well at the regional level, once in Public Speaking I and once in Public Speaking II, and at state I got 1st in public speaking I and 5th in Public speaking II. Overall pretty successful I think. I'm exciting to be headed to state for my third year, and I can't wait to continue work on my speech and make it the best it can be. 

Here's today's Disney History: 2006: Disney announces that the Disneyland and Disney World Pirates of the Caribbean attractions will be undergoing a 3-4 month makeover to work in character and plot elements from the movie series that took its inspiration from the original attraction. (The attraction now features Jack Sparrow, Mermaids and several other elements of the film series).

Have a magical day!