Well, look who joined me at basketball camp this year!

For a girl who has hardly picked up a basketball, I must say that my sister’s tenacity impressed me. She was often seen running across the court, chasing the ball that she inadvertently dribbled on her foot, but she never got frustrated, never gave up, and never took a shortcut. She was focused, determined, and smiley, and already asked mom if she can attend camp again next year!

I, on the other hand, get frustrated very easily, so it’s a good thing I’m a natural athlete because I don’t have the determination of my sister – yet. But you know what I do have? Bragging rights. Because with all the odds against me, as a 4th grader in the 4th-8th grade camp, and as last year’s reigning MVP, mom did everything she could to prepare me to accept the reality that I would likely not receive the MVP/Camper of the Week for a second consecutive year. And even though it doesn’t happen very often, sometimes mom is wrong. Because the 2023 Jordan Kappen Camper of the Week award was presented to yours truly: Jaeger Amari Goodenough! And the crowd goes wild!!!

I tried not to smile as I was crowned the camp king, just to play it cool. But when nobody was looking, you know your boy was cheesin’ because I’ve got a brand new Point 3 Backpack and an outdoor Veniceball to remind me of not just my greatness, but also mom’s wrongness.