The weekend that Ohio Valley football enthusiasts look forward to all summer is finally here. Yes, the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Charity Football Classic and all its exciting festivities have arrived once again. While I love football just as much as the next guy, Sunday night's Ohio vs. West Virginia matchup (O-H!) isn't what I'm most looking forward to. No, my sights are keenly set on this evening's Queen of Queens competition as 25 young women vie for the 2014 crown and title. Why am I so interested, you ask? My little sister, Halli, is one of the 25.
I may be biased, but Halli is without a doubt one of the best people I've ever known. She is more calm and level-headed than every other member of our family combined and we are all thankful for the lessons and advice she never seems to runs out of. Her faith in the Lord and all He has in store for her is unfaltering and unwavering and perhaps what I admire most about her. It's remarkable how much my family and I look up to someone so much smaller than us.
"So much smaller than us." Did I mention Halli stands at only a scant 4'10"? Don't let her petite stature fool you, though; she has one of the best and most powerful voices I've ever heard. She'll take the stage tonight, with dozens of friends and family members supporting her and cheering her on from the crowds below, and belt out a piece that describes her beliefs and perspective on life perfectly. I've never been so excited and nervous for a performance that isn't even mine in my entire life.
I'm sure that every single one of the contestants, Halli included, is moderately scared to death of what tonight has in store. However, like I've been telling my little sister since she won her high school's installment, this is meant to be a fun yet competitive way to showcase even further the immense amount of talent this Valley continues to produce. Try to look past the nerves and jitters and cherish the awesome opportunity at-hand and the lifelong memories this weekend will undoubtedly generate.
Although I'll be rooting for the tiny girl representing St. John Central High School tonight, I wish all the Queen candidates the best of luck - you will all be wonderful. Lastly and most importantly, GO BUCKS!
;)
