This is a story that I had for awhile but never finished. Just now, I typed up the rest. Hope you like it!~ heart
Over the many years I have been an artist I have collected many awards. I’ve gotten certificates for contests I’ve entered, duplicates of paintings from shows and even oversized checks. But there is one award that most people ask about. A framed piece of paper stating: Danielle Province, first place. They all want to know what it’s for. Here is the story of the most prized award I have and will ever get.
My school was very academic. If someone didn’t excel at math or science or English, they were considered a let down to the rest of the school. The smaller things, music and art, were often left of the list of things my school participated in. Thus, our art teacher wanted only the best artist to bring art up in importance. I was in her class, along with students who, though they tried their hardest, were not as good as me.
When we would turn in projects, people would ogle at my skills and make comments on the brush strokes or the use of shading as my teacher had taught them to do. They would call over the teacher and show her my art work, cawing, “Ms. Delilah, isn’t this just amazing?” She’d take one look at my piece, and say dismissively, “What’s so special about that? Are you saying this girl has talents? She’s no better than you all.”
At these times I wouldn’t take her words to heart. I knew that she only wanted the best students, and I guessed that I was only moderately good. Still, it hurt a little to see her put down everything I put my entire self into. I knew that some day I would get her back for what she put me threw for all these years.
One year, it was the last semester of the season. We were all a little rowdy, a little anxious to have it all come down to the final report cards. During homeroom, a time when announcements are made to the entire school through the PA system, I heard the voice of Ms. Delilah, and froze.
“Hello students,” she said sweetly, as if she had spent her life teaching kindergarteners to finger paint, “I would like to announce the opening of an art contest in our area. All grades are able to enter pieces. I would request that anyone who wishes to submit something come see me after this. Thank you!”
An art show? I thought. I don’t need Ms. Delilah’s ‘authority’ to enter a show. Haven’t I been to so many already? It was true. I entered shows for all ages since the moment I could hold a paint brush. My mother supported my art career more than anyone. She and I were partners in this, and I wouldn’t allow Ms. Delilah to take that from us. Still, I was sure she would want me to enter so I came to her room anyway.
“Okay children,” she addressed a group already forming of the best artists in our school, “I will take only the best students, so if you would all put the name of the piece, your name and your homeroom on one of these cards, I can pick people out.”
The group bustled to get small index cards for their application. Someone shouted out, “Ms. Delilah, what show is it?”
“The Ornam County Art Show, only the best in area,” she replied as if she were the owner of the show. I relaxed. I entered this show every year, and this was the first time my school had entered. I was already going, and without Ms. Delilah. Thank God! I walked out of the loud room and entered the sunshine of the courtyard so I could hurry to class.
The next week was show week. I was in a brand-new dress and shoes, with my short blonde hair combed neatly. My mother stood beside me, and we held hands for emotional support. We feed off each other and that’s the way it’s going to be. The judges looked at each piece and made notes on small clip boards. My heart pounded as they came to my piece-a woodblock carving painted with metallic paints.
Soon, the judging was over and the announcers tallied the results. The award for winning was one hundred dollars, enough money to save for the special art school I wanted to go to. As pieces were taken off the display wall and covered, then propped up on the table to be unveiled to the awaiting crowd, I nervously hopped up and down on the balls of my toes.
“Just relax. You’ll be fine,” my mother told me soothingly. I smiled up at her.
“Would all participants take their seats in the audience?” said the MC. We sat in folding chairs that had appeared from no where behind us. I scanned the people. A few of my friends were here, along with a lot of other students who I wasn’t as acquainted with. I couldn’t see Ms. Delilah, but she was probably out there, telling all the kids how I wouldn’t win, not on her watch.
“We have the results. In third place…” a green cloth was lifted to show – a tree painting, delicately detailed to show the leaves as they cascaded to the ground. “Sandra Liaka!” She was not a person from my school. I awaited second place.
“Second place goes to...” another green cloth lifted to show…a sculpture of the human head. It seemed like a perfect replica of a famous person I couldn’t put my finger on. “Erik Reiber!” I had the feeling this guy was a member of my student body, but I didn’t know him by name. As he walked up, I recognized him as one of the artsy preps, though his face didn’t ring a bell either. Nevertheless…
I started to get worried. My piece was not that great. It was only a wood carving with some gold and silver acrylic work. It wasn’t even a deffinate shape! Just an abstract that I carved from the inspiration of the human brain. I could see it in my mind: a sharp edge, carefully carved back to a smooth blood vessel-type shape. I didn’t think I would get the award with that. I wasn’t too disappointed; it wasn’t the first time I’d lost. But still, this was a special piece.
“…I thank you all for coming and…” I had missed the name in my metal monolog! I looked up to the stage, but the men had already removed all three from the stage. I looked dejectedly around me. My mother was nowhere in sight. Great… I thought. Just then, I heard someone calling my name.
“Would Danielle Province please come to the stage?” I heard the cool, sweetened voice of Ms. Delilah. Confused, I trekked to the stage. “This girl is someone special. I have watched her talents for the longest time.” WHAT?! Since when? “I knew she had something special, but I didn’t treat her thus for one reason: she needed to see something. Art was never hard for her, it was like breathing or heart beats for you and me. She needed to see that, no matter how good you are, there is always someone, something that lies in your path. I was the only thing that kept her from rising and rising and rising. So she did what any young person would do-she coped. She held out years of my coming down hard on her without one negative comment to me. That is talent in and of itself. I know that Danielle gained more today. Besides the first place certificate, she learned that life with sometimes present challenges. She knows now that she has the ability to overcome those challenges and become ahead. She knows she can be an incredible person. Because she is Danielle Province.”
ataka Community Member 
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