Okay fine—it’s not a week, it’s just two days, but still!

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(This and the following section of an event took place on the 9th of December, approximately 3 weeks ago.)

I was lounging on the benches with my friends, gobbling up my lunch greedily, when I saw a commotion occurring on the opposite side of the campus. Other students were huddled in a circle beside the staircase, and as soon as I noticed a teacher near them, I knew something was up.

I informed my friends that I was going to investigate before sprinting and swerving my way around the basketball court.

As I approach where the teacher was standing and peering through the slim bars around the staircase, I hear a few whispers of “Cat! Cat! There’s a kitten there!” I’m shocked. Wait, actually?

And I discovered that yes, there was a cat, as I looked at the front side of the staircase. Suddenly, a tiny little grey and white kitten jumped out of nowhere, landed on its paws, and started running around frantically, only for people to start screaming until a teacher picked it up, cradled it tenderly, and carried it to the office.

Imagine my reaction when I found out there was more than one… a whole LITTER!

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(This is also set on the 9th of December. A little background before you read my actual experience…we had to do a project in class along with two other members of our “band”. The actual endeavour was to make your own musical instrument out of recyclable materials. I made maracas, A made maracas as well, and J made a harp. We had to perform a piece in front of our grade, and this is how it went…)

“A’s group?” Mr L summoned to the front. I make an effort to hide my embarrassed smile, but it doesn’t work. Me and the others make our way up to the front, everyone’s eyes on us. The pressure was on. The show was on.

As we ascend, J hides behind me and A starts getting her harp ready. A goes “three, two, one…” and then starts singing while shaking her instrument.

“My God, I thought you were someone to rely on…” She starts singing with her amazing voice. People join in, smiling and clapping along. I wait for my verse. And then I start singing.

“Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…” I started singing. People start joining in… and grinning. A lot.

And then the best part came. The third verse. Me and A started singing together, and it sounded like medicine to everyone’s ears (“heavenly”, as one person later put it). As soon as we finished and took a bow, the class erupted into applause and started whooping and cheering.

That one moment I had the epiphany that perhaps I do have a golden voice. Everyone complimented us on our amazing voices after that, and it FELT INCREDIBLE. No one even noticed how we missed one line!

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(This happened on the 10th of December during Presentation Day for my school, when students receive special recognition for their accomplishments)

I was sitting in my chair in the gigantic hall, wringing my hands nervously. He’d told me I might get it. But what if I didn’t? What if I did?

One of the teachers in my grade went up on stage, ready to present the next award.

“This (my grade) Dux award is presented to a very diligent student in (my grade). It goes to the most academically outstanding student (well, she said something along these lines, but I can’t exactly remember) in her grade.”

Mrs D cleared her throat.

“And the Dux award goes to…”

And then she called my name.

And honestly, I was not stunned to go up there and receive the award from a member of the local government. Not stunned at all.

However, I was taken aback when I sat down in my chair and was summoned back up to the stage to receive yet another award—the Commonwealth Parliamentarian’s Distinguished Achievement Award!

I felt extremely proud of myself. So did my parents, teachers, and friends! I also received a pocket sized version of Australia’s constitution, an Australian flag, and $100 worth of book vouchers. Woohoo! I’m officially the smartest student in the entire school ;)

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Written by Hazel Antler.
Edited by Marlee Potter.
Proofread by Sara Rowan.