Keeping Up With the Mc's: Snowstorm, Superheroes, and Spirit!

I returned yesterday from the Arizona Association of Student Council's state convention in Pinetop, Arizona. Of course along with participating in idea sharing and listening to motivational speakers, we have to dress up for the theme each day. The theme was"'Awaken the Hero Within." My 12 students and I dressed as Everyday Heros on Thursday....in pink tutus, a pink cape, and metallic pink leggings! While many showed up in doctor outfits, fire fighting uniforms, and such, we were a bit more original: We are everyday heroes as part of student council. Friday, we dressed as a "real" superhero: the Green Lantern. Finally, on Saturday, we dressed as school spirit firecrackers.
Not only was the spirit amazing, but so were the speakers, the workshops, and the election. For the first time in history, Apollo has a state president representing Arizona: Kiley Myatt.

On the way home from this incredible convention, as I listened to my kids share memories and ideas gained from the workshops, it began to snow. They warned us at the closing ceremonies that snow was on its way, so luckily, we headed out of Pinetop (without eating to the shagrin of my students) before the road was closed down. As we approached Forest Lakes at the top of the Mogollon Rim, the snow began to blind drivers. We slid a bit on the downhill slopes, but for the most part, the van stayed on the road. Several school vans did not have the success we did. Many were stuck in Pinetop from the road closure or stuck in drifts of snow on the rim. Thankfully, we made it to Payson where we stopped to eat. Of course, the snowstorm caught up to us while we dined at Chili's, so we had to head out in to the snow again. After a couple scary hills, we were low enough in elevation to only be rained on. Safety at last.

Not only am I grateful that Heavenly Father watched over our van and kept us all safe, but I am also grateful for the teamwork and comraderie that existed amongst my students. Again, another event that makes me grateful to be a teacher.