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Competition is indeed good for our adolescents. It builds character and prepares them for life. It teaches them to give their best while learning to deal with disappointing moments if their lives.

Recently I read an article that an area football association would no longer keep score for the games. Their reasoning is the losing team would feel disappointed if they lost. What kind of reasoning is that? How will these children learn that you don't always win but you are a winner if you have tried your hardest?

Our daughter, Laurie, competed in our small town Little Prince and Princess contest when she was 5 years old. The only reason I entered her was the coordinators said they needed little girls because they didn't have any signed up. I prepared her with the knowledge that she may not win but to do her best. It wasn't a big pageant production with the fancy dresses or makeup, as I don't believe in that. They simply collected nickels and answered questions for a judging panel.

On the night they picked the Princess I assured Laurie that no matter where she placed she would be our Princess forever. She did win that evening. This little competition taught her social interaction and built her self-esteem. After a year of parades, she crowned the next Prince and Princess. When I asked if she wanted to compete in the County Fair contest she said no, which was fine by me.

During Junior High school she decided to play soccer. Her team lost repeatedly but it gave her the chance to learn to deal with disappointment. She continued to play soccer for the next two years knowing even when they lost she was doing something she enjoyed and winning wasn't everything.

Also in Junior High Laurie competed in the Snow Princess competition that was open to all the girls in her school. She took First Runner Up both times she competed. Even though I know she felt bad for not winning, Laurie showed her true inner beauty by congratulating the winner and handling herself with grace.

Her next competitions were in High school during the 4th of July celebrations. She competed twice and took First Runner Up the first year and eventually became the Independence Queen during her second try.

These were the last of her Beauty Queen competitions but with each time she competed we could see her grow as a person.

While still in High school she took a photography class for a semester. Laurie had taken a picture in silhouette of a friend. He was simply leaning on a railing at the school with the sun casting

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