Choir President

 

Choir President

At the end of each high school year, elections were held in choir for the next year’s officers in choir.  It was an exciting time.  The elections took a couple of days in choir class.  People were nominated for the different positions and then we voted.  There were several offices, and I had no thought that I would be nominated or elected.  The election process started with treasurer, I think, and worked their way to vice president and then president.  I was surprised when I was nominated for treasurer.  After the nominations, the candidates were sent out of the room, the candidates were discussed and the vote took place.  When I came back in, I found I did not get treasurer.  That was okay.  I was just pleased to be nominated.  I was then nominated for the next office and sent out again.  I didn’t get that one, either.  I guess while we were out, people could say what they wanted for the different candidates.  I was nominated for every single office.  Really.  Every, single one.  When I came back in after the vice president vote, a cute girl that I sat by in choir, Renee (a cheerleader and popular girl) whispered that they were saving me for president, and that is why I wasn’t winning any of the other offices.  Really?  Me?  I was so surprised and so very pleased. 

Sure enough, I was next nominated for president.  Margo Jensen was also nominated.  The class period was just about over.  Mrs. Schmidt, the choir teacher, suggested that we hold the election for president the next day and that each of the candidates should give a short speech before we voted.  I walked out of there so happy and so pleased that my fellow choir students thought that much of me. 

I went home and prepared my speech.   I liked to give speeches and I thought I prepared a pretty good one.  I carefully chose my outfit for the next day: my favorite lavender empire-waist knit dress and my white clogs.  I practiced my speech.  I was ready.

The next day I gave my speech and, I thought, did it well.  Then Margo gave her speech.  It was really good.  Really good. It just seemed more mature than mine.  We were sent out while the choir members voted.  I was so nervous, I was shaking.  When called back in, it was announced that Margo was our new choir president.  I put a smile on my face, but I was so sad.  I was so disappointed.  Renee whispered to me that the vote had been very close.  They had actually taken the vote twice to be sure.  That was a bit comforting.  I have to admit that Margo did a great job as president the next year.  I still really enjoyed being in the choir.  But there is still a little ache in my heart that I didn’t win that election. 

 

I’m not sure of the value of this story.  It is a sad story.  But maybe it is good to know that not every story has a happy ending.  Life is full of disappointments.  But the good always follows the bad.  That’s an important life lesson to learn.  There are ups and downs.  We need to survive the downs, knowing the ups are next.

 

This is a picture of the choir.  I am on the front row and Renee is to my left.  Margo, the one who won Choir president is on the top row.  She signed “Marge.”