Such an incredible city!
In March, I was invited to Carnegie Hall to receive a Silver Medal with Distinction for my writing portfolio submitted to Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. The portfolio included both full manuscripts for Defenders: Lake of Fire and Awake, Awoke, the first chapter of The Negotiation War, as well as my two short stories Starfall and Forbidden Numbers, and a collection of poetry. After receiving a Gold Key award at the regional level, it was advanced to North American, and received one of twenty-nine silver medals!
In June, my parents and I flew to New York City! We toured the New York Public Library (with architecture like a castle!), the Morgan Library and Museum (with three levels of books and secret passageways!), Grand Central Station (busy!), biked around Central Park to see the Bethesda Terrace (and stood in the same place Thor and Loki stood in Avengers) and Belvedere Castle (a definite highlight!). We rose to the top floor of the Empire State Building and took a boat tour out to the Statue of Liberty. Absolutely amazing.
Carnegie Hall was grand and elegant. A slideshow of art and writing played at the front, including a line from Forbidden Numbers! Music played, and all the award winners stood and turned around, spotlights swinging around us. A moment of pure wonder.
When walking back from the award ceremony in my grad dress, we walked through Times Square at night, which was beautiful. Every time I walked along a crosswalk, I felt like I was in a movie!
Another highlight was the Broadway Show! We experienced Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I never imagined I would see this play in person, but it was stunning. Mind-blowing effects and a thrilling adventurous plot with one of my favorite concepts: time travel!
Praise the Lord for the doors He opens, the paths He prepares, and His presence guiding me ever-forward.
See pictures from my trip on Instagram at annika.crum or FaceBook at annikacrumwriter.
The Riddle Weaver 