2017 NCFCA National Championship, St. Paul, MN

Ok so just a disclaimer, this will be a typical 'Ellen' post: unorganized, random, completely un-coherent, and a picture overload.  So, congrats if you get to the end!!!!!  (I just know you're saying 'Challenge accepted') 😉
Without further ado, here we go!!!

The drive there was ok.  It was a BEAUTIFUL drive but it rained pretty much the whole time.  Great time to catch up on sleep!!!! 😆😝

These are from the opening social/hangout time.  Northwestern's campus is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Mornings are NOT my friend......😳

There are some BEAUTIFUL and old buildings on the Northwestern campus!!!

OPENING CEREMONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE FOOD.  Let me tell you, the food was AMAZING.

It was worth the long line......

Late night selfies......😜

HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE FOOD?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!

Watching debates......

Crowded rooms......

GUYS!!!!!!!  I bungee jumped for the first time!!!!!!  Northwestern put on a carnival for everyone who came for the tournament!!!!  IT WAS SOOO FUN!!!!!!!!!  

This game.........😍

So.Much.Funness.  

Y'all should have been there.  (Photo Credit: Rafael Riojas)

Waiting in the hallways.....

Let's go Region 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love my club.

(previous 4 photos: Trisha Batchelor)

Friend time!!!!!

HAVE I MENTIONED THE FOOD!??!?!?!?!?!??!

The BEAUTIFULLY arranged trophies.  Like, SO MUCH GORGEOUSNESS.

Enjoying some new perspectives.....

Sister time.

Congrats, all, for finishing the post!!!!  Hope y'all caught a glimpse of how fun my week in Minnesota was!!!!!

Destination: Nationals

As most of you know, I love to write.  They are sort of bad, inconsistent, and weird stories, but I love to write.  I have recently been working on a story I call Destination: Nationals, My NCFCA Diary (my thoughts about speech and debate tournaments).  It's more me fuming about my frustrations, rounds, and interactions; it's just a way for me to get my words out.  I never even dreamed about qualifying for Nationals until I was a senior, three years in the future.  I wanted this book to be about perseverance, sticking with competition and finally, some rewards.  Nationals was one of my "what you want to be when you grow up" goals.  It was on my bucket list, one of my life dreams, and something I would always strive for.  Well, ladies and gentleman, I qualified for the NCFCA National Championship yesterday at the Regional tournament.  I still can't believe it.  I was so overwhelmed at the time, I started crying.  I honestly don't remember much about what happened.  I was so thankful.  Thankful for God's grace and the opportunities He has blessed me with, my family and the endless support and love they've given to me, and my speech coach and all of the times she's worked with me.  I am pumped for NATS and can't WAIT to compete!!!

These kids.  So talented, so skilled, so awesome.

My fellow Open Interpers who also qualified for Nationals

My club.  These kids are so talented and it's truly an honor to be an Omaha Knight.  Congratulations to all of you!!!  

Nationals is June 11-17 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Join me in rooting for Region V!!!

Region V Invitational 2016 (Topeka, KS)

 

   Regionals, here we come!!! 👍🏻😜😊 

Updates!!!

Hey guys!!!
Where has the time gone??  It's almost the end of April!!  AHH!!!!  Anyways, I though'd I'd give you all an update of what's been happening and a glimpse into my crazy life!! ;-)
First: here are the videos to the songs that we played at our Orchestra concert last Monday:
Intermediate Orchestra:

Advanced Orchestra:

Don't you love the flute??

Opera isn't my favorite thing but it sounded gorgeous!!! 

This song is probably one of the most fun (and one of the most dangerous) pieces I've played.  I hope you like it as much as I do!!!

Here is the full Orchestra prformance: (Hannah and I were both in this one)

Here is the advanced band and orchestra performing with the Omaha Academy Choir:

So, yeah!!!  ;-)
I am currently preparing for the Speech and Debate Regionals that is going to be April 24-27!!!  Yay!!

(sorry for the weird picture, I can't think of a valid excuse I couldn't find a different one.) 

Here's a picture Hannah took last night:

Isn't that just beautiful?!?!?!  

Oh yes, and there's these.....

            
Have a great week!!!

Omaha Qualifier

This week I was competing in a speech tournament that our club hosted called the Omaha Qualfier.  

I was very excited at this one because I qualified for Regionals!!!!!!!  *happy dance*  

Regionals will be in Topeka Kansas at the end of April and I can't wait!!!  

I am so thankful for my family for letting me participate and supporting me through the tournament season!  Most of all, I thank God for the talent He has given me and for the lessons that He continually teaches me.

Afterwards, we went to Pizza Ranch and looked at our ballots.  Thank you Pizza Ranch for enduring our noise and *ahem* loud rambunctiousness.  :-)