I saw the shiny plaque being lifted into the air above the heads of everyone mobbing around the band director. We all cheered loudly; 4th place!

The room erupted with cheers and whistles. Even Lori, the quietest person I knew, was yelling louder than I’d ever heard her before.

We started a couple of group hugs, some of which probably ended up in the school yearbook. We were all still wearing our dorky overall-style pants, but we didn’t care about how we looked right then. Our show had gone perfect! I couldn’t remember even one mistake I could’ve made!

The news from our school were there, filming the celebration. They circled around the crowd with their video cameras, capturing everyone’s excitement on tape for the news on Monday.

My friends all gave me hugs, and, eventually, we all dispersed to put away our instruments.

I wished someone would have thrown an after-competition party, like they did for the games. I was having so much fun just partying in the band room; I didn’t want it to end then!