The Great American Challenge

Olivia worked really hard with a handful of other fifth graders to earn the 

Great American Challenge Award

They had to memorize the Pledge of Allegiance, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Star Spangled Banner, all fifty states and their capitals (and spell them correctly), all of the U.S. Presidents (in order), and finally the Gettysburg address. The last one was pretty difficult for a lot of the kids. Olivia worked SO hard on it and finally nailed it. (I would like to say I memorized it with her, but I am pretty sure my brain cells have atrophied to the extent that memorization isn't so easy any more.)

It was pretty moving to watch this group of children (three of them are Olivia's closest friends) recite from memory the Gettysburg Address (below): 

Sophia endured the assembly well (mostly well, thanks to the help of my friend who pulled a fun toy out of her magic hat). So proud of my girl Miss Olivia!