WEST HARTFORD, Conn., U.S.A. – Never
underestimate the passion of a One Direction fan, we learned, when we
established an essay contest with a prize of two tickets to the band’s sold out
show at Mohegan Sun.
underestimate the passion of a One Direction fan, we learned, when we
established an essay contest with a prize of two tickets to the band’s sold out
show at Mohegan Sun.
The Mohegan Tribe generously gave YJI
tickets in the luxury skybox – complete with a fancy dinner reception for the
November 30 sold out show – and we decided it would be fun to give a couple
away to a really deserving fan.
tickets in the luxury skybox – complete with a fancy dinner reception for the
November 30 sold out show – and we decided it would be fun to give a couple
away to a really deserving fan.
(We still have some
tickets to sell, so call us at (860) 655-8188 or email tickets@youthjournalism.org to
find out more about that.)
tickets to sell, so call us at (860) 655-8188 or email tickets@youthjournalism.org to
find out more about that.)
But back to the 1D fans and the
wonderful essays they wrote in hopes of winning tickets.
wonderful essays they wrote in hopes of winning tickets.
We learned that there are a LOT ofdeserving fans. We received entries from almost 400 people from all around the
United States as well as Canada and Argentina.
We read them all and put careful thought
into which one should win.
into which one should win.
Many wrote that their birthdays were on
the day of the concert, or near to it, and that winning would be a perfect way
to celebrate. We wish we could send you all tickets inside a birthday card!
the day of the concert, or near to it, and that winning would be a perfect way
to celebrate. We wish we could send you all tickets inside a birthday card!
Quite a few people wrote to ask for the
tickets not for themselves, but for their sister, cousin, or friend. Some of
those came from sisters, but a few good-hearted brothers out there were trying
to win for their sisters, which we found really terrific. Those people, though,
have the best prize of all: a loving brother, sister, cousin or friend who is
looking out for them. Still, we wish we could send tickets to all of them, too.
tickets not for themselves, but for their sister, cousin, or friend. Some of
those came from sisters, but a few good-hearted brothers out there were trying
to win for their sisters, which we found really terrific. Those people, though,
have the best prize of all: a loving brother, sister, cousin or friend who is
looking out for them. Still, we wish we could send tickets to all of them, too.
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youthjournalism.org
Simone Tucker, 17,
of Hartford, Connecticut,
won the essay contest
and the two tickets to
the One Direction concert.
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Lots of writers told us how 1D had
changed their lives, for the better. They told painful stories of hurting
themselves or feeling bad about themselves until they found happiness in the
music of One Direction. Knowing they had possibly saved lives made us have a
lot more appreciation for the band.
changed their lives, for the better. They told painful stories of hurting
themselves or feeling bad about themselves until they found happiness in the
music of One Direction. Knowing they had possibly saved lives made us have a
lot more appreciation for the band.
We’re glad music brought salvation to
all of those fans who had been hurting, and we wish we could have sent tickets
to each of them so they could experience the band in concert.
all of those fans who had been hurting, and we wish we could have sent tickets
to each of them so they could experience the band in concert.
Lots and lots of essay writers
proclaimed themselves the band’s number one fan and a few said they had every
expectation of one day marrying a band member. All we can say is that the band
is very lucky to have such a passionate group of fans.
proclaimed themselves the band’s number one fan and a few said they had every
expectation of one day marrying a band member. All we can say is that the band
is very lucky to have such a passionate group of fans.
Quite a few said they couldn’t afford to
buy tickets and feared they’d never have the chance again.
buy tickets and feared they’d never have the chance again.
We’d have loved to been able to give all
those writers some tickets, too.
those writers some tickets, too.
But we could only give away one pair of
tickets, and it was really hard to choose who would get them.
tickets, and it was really hard to choose who would get them.
We looked for a well-written piece of
prose that followed the rules of the contest, which asked for 250 words or less
and specified that the writer had to be aged 21 or under.
prose that followed the rules of the contest, which asked for 250 words or less
and specified that the writer had to be aged 21 or under.
While most entries came from Connecticut
and neighboring states of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New
Hampshire, we also got entries from Texas, Florida, California, Oregon,
Washington, Tennessee, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa and
South Dakota.
and neighboring states of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New
Hampshire, we also got entries from Texas, Florida, California, Oregon,
Washington, Tennessee, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa and
South Dakota.
The fans have been vocal in their
comments about the contest. There was quite a bit of interest in the
announcement of the winner, and several were disappointed that we delayed that
for a day. Sorry, but we couldn’t help that.
comments about the contest. There was quite a bit of interest in the
announcement of the winner, and several were disappointed that we delayed that
for a day. Sorry, but we couldn’t help that.
Many, we were happy to see, celebrated
the contest’s winner, congratulating her and wishing her a great time.
the contest’s winner, congratulating her and wishing her a great time.
Others have been critical of the winning
essay – even before it was posted. That was disappointing.
essay – even before it was posted. That was disappointing.
Simone Tucker, the 17-year-old music
student who won the contest, is a deserving winner. Her essay was well written
and while it noted that she and others couldn’t afford to buy tickets, it wasn’t
seeking pity. Rather, her piece was filled with gratitude for just the chance
to try to win. Read it here and you will see for yourself.
student who won the contest, is a deserving winner. Her essay was well written
and while it noted that she and others couldn’t afford to buy tickets, it wasn’t
seeking pity. Rather, her piece was filled with gratitude for just the chance
to try to win. Read it here and you will see for yourself.
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youthjournalism.org
Contest winner Simone Tucker with Youth Journalism International
co-founders Jackie Majerus and Steve Collins
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You can see the local NBC Connecticut
television station’s story about Simone here.
television station’s story about Simone here.
We liked Simone’s spirit, that “attitude
of gratitude,” especially at this time of year, when so many Americans are
celebrating Thanksgiving, and wanted to reward her with the tickets.
of gratitude,” especially at this time of year, when so many Americans are
celebrating Thanksgiving, and wanted to reward her with the tickets.
After the concert, she promises to
reward all of you with her review of the show, which will be published on this
blog. We’re confident she can convey the excitement of the night.
reward all of you with her review of the show, which will be published on this
blog. We’re confident she can convey the excitement of the night.
We’re grateful to everyone who took the
time to enter the contest and hope you’ll continue to check in with YJI and
find even more things to spark your interest.
time to enter the contest and hope you’ll continue to check in with YJI and
find even more things to spark your interest.
Happy Thanksgiving!
