We arrived at school first, at around 6:45 this evening. Mr. Carlin went through his thing to see if he had nice things to say about me, then went "Oh hang on, I'm not doing yours!". Meghan came in and we had a quick chat, then she bounced up to room 18, where I was bound. I went into the Gym with Mr. C to see where I could sit, not obsturct, and manage to get back and forth to the temporary stage. Eventually then, I got upstairs to room 18, just as a new-found buddy Claire arrived. She went hoking and found my award; Personal Endeavour [as I read off my trophy]. So, we chilled, laughed and just had plain fun, until the photographers and the whole of senior management arrived up. We all sat and posed for a few pictures for the press, then dashed off down stairs again. I sat in my place, and who walks in? Guest speaker, Catriona Ruann, Minister for Education in Northern Ireland. She stopped to ask me my subjects before stating "Yer ah starr" in her Southern Irish Accent, then walked on to take her place with my schools board of govenors. I smiled at the halarity and obscenity of it all; Dave Anderson MP, Blaydon on Monday, Catroina Ruann MLA on Tuesday. It can only be Teabags!

Dr. O'Boyle started proceedings as he welcomed everyone in Irish. He told us of the songs the four soloists would be performing, and they were off! On My Own from Les Miserables was first, followed by I Know Him So Well from Jess, then two songs from our school production this year, The Wizard of Oz. I don't want to be Simon, but I did feel sorry for them as their notes cracked and looks of annoyance spread across their faces. When they were on though; WOW! Even our Clay would be amazed at the power of our girls' voices.

Mrs. Wylie made her opening address, followed by Mrs. Smith, the Principal, making her address. In all honesty, nothing jumped out at me from their speaches, but the Pride of us all exuded from every single teacher present tonight. As the "certificates" were given out I largely misjudged my coming and the more peope cheered for me the more I got embarrassed. However, I overcame part of my fear of crowds of people I don't know tonight, as I recieved my "certificate" with a smile and a simple thank-you to Ms. Ruann. Things then progressed to subject awards, and Mr. Carlin had us laughing as he shared the humour of our dear ol' teachers combined with nutty students; it's a mad chemical reaction. As the so-dubbed "special awards" arrived my nerves began to circulate. I was so scared of dropping it that I was going to send someone else up for it. Mrs. Wylie gave the desription as "an award presented to a single pupil who has overcome many barriers and obsticles..." and the rest I didn't catch as I got too nervous. It was something like 'while still coming out on top' though. I drove forward to Mrs. Smith to accept the award. We shook hands, and I said thank you. She set it on my knee, but not before ensuring I had a good grip. Mr. O'Hara, I'm sure, longed to jump up and help me, but stayed true to what he's always done for me; treating me with equality. People respected that, and I went back to my seat, feeling proud that I had collected such an award alone, and shone some true independence.

Ms. Ruann then made her address. The whole way through it all I could think about how her inner determination and the things she said was like Clay. She made a point about no mater what ability or disability you are, the world is your oyster, and nothing can take that away. Then she mentioned that every time she gets up to speak in the Executive there is an uproar of disapproval because she is female and has power to make change; her words were "We have power and if they doing like it, well TOUGH!" And that, I hope, will become the epitomy of what I am here for, to promote change, which was the focus of Ms. Ruann's words.

We came out of the room, Mum and Dad got some pictures of me with the trophy, and about a trillion teachers congratulated me and stated how desverving I was. The one thing I do hope is that my disability is not the reason for my achieving the award. I want it on merit only, and I believe I did enough on merit to recieve the award, and not just have it like I do most other things.

One last thing I wish to share. You may recall me telling you all about Sherin, the smart girl in my Science class. Well, on the exit of the school, her family and mine were last. Her family are from India, and her mother came right up to me, hugged me tight, said congratulations and well done. Strange that I had just about been ready to say the same to Sherin, I've always liked her, although she was quiet. I mean, if an Indian can come up to an Irish and give a hug and congratulate, never mind the person being in a wheelchair, why can't others of the same nationality and race?

I think that is an appropriate place to leave it. Pictures will come with time. Love you all, and I hope you're all pleased with me.

Kylie xx