A Postcard, Plains, and a President!

Last Saturday, we had a very unique opportunity as a family. We had the chance to meet a former U.S. President - Mr. Jimmy Carter. It all started with a 4th grade class project. Will's class decided to participate in a nation-wide contest that involved designing a postcard in honor of President Jimmy Carter. Every September, Plains, Georgia holds a peanut festival (I believe it is also the birthday of Mr. Carter.) and the winning postcards are displayed, Mr. Carter makes his appearance, and the students are congratulated and awarded a prize, a certificate, and a medal as a part of the day's events. Will knew a little bit about this since a student two years ago had won. I could tell that he was excited about the prospect of someone from his class winning. Well, we never saw his finished work (they did it all in class) and we certainly didn't think much about it . . . UNTIL, Will's teacher showed up at our door one evening with the announcement that Will had won 1st place out of all of the 4th graders who had entered the contest!! Will was speechless, and to be quite honest, so were we. In fact, I think the first things to come out of our mouths were, "Are you kidding?" and "Are you sure?". He assured us that Will had indeed won and handed us all of the paperwork and directives for the event. Thus began our journey to Plains . . .

Entering Plain, Ga. Home of Former President, Jimmy Carter - along with 706 other residents. Don't blink, you'll miss it!

Riley and Ty were more impressed with Mr. Peanut. Trust me when I say that this place would be death sentence for anyone with peanut allergies!


Waiting in line - ready to take the stage.

Okay, so here Will is about to go on - anyone recognize that gentleman in the background?

Will's turn - "My name is Will Warbington and I go to Mulberry Elementary School in Auburn, GA."

(thundering applause - well, at least from our little group)

The moment of Glory . . .

It's really amazing what a nice, shiny medal will do for the ego, isn't it?!

Will, standing beside his postcard mounted and on display.

For the history books . . . (there was actually a poem that Will had written on the back, but I guess there wasn't room for two displays per child :)

Will, we are so proud of you! But, then again, we always have been. Thanks for making it possible for all of us to say, "We have met a president of the United States!"