9,150-ish
…That’s my new favorite number, since it is the number of votes that put me well into first place and that makes me the winner of the $10,000 Blogging Scholarship.
And the very first thing I have to do is to thank YOU.
The reason I won is because of the immense outpouring of support from all of you--friends, family and complete strangers all over the world. This award could not have come at a better time for me and my family, and we are all deeply grateful. I plan to use the money to pay some of the principle and interest on my student loans. As one commenter said recently, although $10,000 is a drop in the bucket of law school debt, it’s a pretty good drop nonetheless. And every drop helps!
I know that many of you have been sitting in front of your computer screen watching the votes and comments roll in over these past three weeks, and I appreciate your company. It has been astounding for me to watch it all happen, and is far, far beyond anything I expected or could have predicted.
I came upon a post somewhere about the scholarship accidentally one day a month or so ago just a few days before the application deadline. Later that evening, I sat on the couch, composed my essay, and then submitted it to CollegeScholarships.org as required. I mentioned to Randy in an offhand comment that night that I had applied for the scholarship, and then I forgot about it for a few days. You can imagine how excited I was when I opened my e-mail in-box on October 8th and found out that I was one of the 20 finalists for the scholarship.
That morning I composed an e-mail message which I sent out to 50-75 friends and family and to about 25 “cyber friends” thinking that maybe with their help I could get a couple of hundred votes. I had no idea what it would take to win or if I even had a chance.
And then it started. You all took it and ran with it. You sent it to the people in your address book, they sent it to the people in their address book, and then they sent it on. Some of you posted it on your blogs, and then more people posted it on theirs. I have received hundreds of e-mails from people all over the country telling me their stories and offering encouragement and support. I was surprised and encouraged by the initial reaction, and then I was stunned at the power of the internet and of word of mouth as the days progressed. The $10,000 pales in comparison to the amount of support I have received from all 9,150 of you in the last three weeks while watching all of this unfold.
Shelley Batts and Jess Kim, the second and third place contestants in the contest, will both receive $1000 and the remaining 7 of the top 10 contestants will each receive $100. I had the pleasure of exchanging e-mail with both Shelley and Jess during the contest and think they are both very intelligent and kind young women who will go far in their chosen fields. Both of them have excellent blogs and I encourage you to visit their sites, as well.
Daniel Kovach, the man behind the money, has invited me to come to the Blog World and New Media Expo in Las Vegas next week to accept the award. Thanks to some of Randy’s left-over points from his travelling days and help from our parents, we are going to be able to go and to spend a couple of days there, as well. It will be one of the most slow-paced, conservative visits to Las Vegas ever since I get tired so easily and can’t walk far, but it will be nice to get away for a couple of days.
Thank you all. My gratitude knows no bounds.
Comments
Congratulations!! One less thing for you to have on your plate now...focus on treatment and wellness!
Posted by: sherry | October 29, 2007 08:37 AM
Congratulations Kim! I'm glad to have met you through this contest, and wish you the best of luck. Have fun in Las Vegas, and don't spend it all there! :)
Posted by: Shelley Batts | October 29, 2007 09:00 AM
Congratulations! You deserve it.
Posted by: CM | October 29, 2007 09:07 AM
Congratulations!!!!!! The trip to Vegas will be a wonderful little get-away for you. Get a massage and a facial and enjoy yourself!
Posted by: Proto Attorney | October 29, 2007 09:31 AM
Oh, Kim, CONGRATULATIONS. You have no idea how happy I am, and how proud I am...
Much love to you and your family, from me and mine.
xo CGF
Posted by: candygirlflies | October 29, 2007 09:37 AM
It couldn't have gone to a more deserving blogger! Not to mention, a nicer law student... which is so rare, it's worth $10k in itself. ;)
Posted by: Dave! | October 29, 2007 09:37 AM
That is so exciting! A win AND a trip to Vegas! You are so deserving.
Posted by: Alison | October 29, 2007 09:41 AM
Yippee!!! I'm so thrilled for you. Have a fantastic time. I think you need to find one of those hotels that has a river going around it and just lay in an inner tube and float. Or a spa hotel. :)
Posted by: PT-LawMom | October 29, 2007 09:58 AM
Congratulations! I knew we'd do it. (Yes, I'm taking part of the credit - at least 1/9150th.)
I second the Spa hotel suggestion. If you can stand having someone touch you - a massage may be just what the doctor ordered.
Posted by: Ree | October 29, 2007 10:02 AM
Booyah!!! Awesome.
Posted by: Minivan mom | October 29, 2007 10:07 AM
Kim, congratulations.
"When the effective Leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally." Lao Tse 650BC
Thanks to all the leaders who promoted this gentle lift. once again conratulations... Vancouver B.C.
Posted by: Travellor | October 29, 2007 10:20 AM
YAY! I'm so excited for you- I was checking to see your place throughout last week. I know the money will be such a help and a trip to Vegas will be fantastic. It's like an amusement park for adults- even if you take it slow :) There's a great gelato place in the Paris casino, I highly recommend it!
Posted by: LL | October 29, 2007 11:46 AM
I think you're giving everyone else too much credit.
Just like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz, you had the power with you all along, woman!
Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Susie Sunshine | October 29, 2007 02:05 PM
I KNEW you would win!!! Yay!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jessica | October 29, 2007 02:35 PM
Hurray! Who says the nice girl always finishes last? Does the internet just never cease to amaze??? Are you feeling the love, Kim? I felt it the whole time I underwent treatment. It was humbling in the most awesome way possible. Enjoy Vegas! You'll be so close... I wish I could get there to meet you. :-(
Posted by: imstell | October 29, 2007 03:02 PM
CONGRATS on your landslide win! I read about you and the contest via Jenn @ Jennsylvania dot com.
I hope you and hubs have a great time here in Vegas accepting your prize!
We're having great weather here in Vegas this week -- and the smoke from the Cali fires have blown thru, so the sky is clear for you!!
Posted by: Les~ | October 29, 2007 03:42 PM
Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Jacqueline | October 29, 2007 04:23 PM
Heartiest congratulations, Kim! Enjoy Vegas and meeting everyone. Keep up the great writing!
Posted by: Abel Pharmboy | October 29, 2007 06:44 PM
Just don't do anything over there that I wouldn't do...or what would have to go on your IBABY, hahahahah. Congratulations, sis!
Posted by: Carla | October 29, 2007 08:55 PM
Congrats!!! I'm so tickled you won!
Posted by: Shelley | October 29, 2007 10:23 PM
Woo-hoo!
Hooray!
Like you said - every bit helps.
Much love and congrats!
Posted by: Shannon | October 29, 2007 10:52 PM
Bravo! Good things happen to good people! Have fun in Vegas.
Posted by: Beth | October 29, 2007 10:55 PM
AWESOME, KIM! So wonderful, and well deserved!
Posted by: Joanna | October 29, 2007 11:03 PM
way to Go Kim!
I read a lot of the other blogs, and while there were a couple that were good - You were by far the best and You surely deserve this scholarship.
Congratulations! and enjoy the trip.
Brian
Posted by: Bkla | October 29, 2007 11:51 PM
Wonderful news... congratulations!
Posted by: Amy | October 30, 2007 01:01 AM
Whooo hoo! :-)
Posted by: sarah | October 30, 2007 07:08 AM
Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!!!
XOXoXO
Posted by: Mieke | October 30, 2007 01:27 PM
Whoo-hoo! It's my new favorite too. For you. Hurrah!
You so totally deserve this....
Posted by: WhyMommy | October 30, 2007 07:41 PM
Congrats!!! I can't think of anyone who deserves this more.
Posted by: Mel Woods | October 30, 2007 09:24 PM
I am so happy you won! It takes a special kind of bravery to publicly confront this challenge, and you have risen to the occasion. I salute you!
Posted by: OverThee Hill | October 31, 2007 03:56 PM
Congratulations Kim! You deserve it girl!
Posted by: Amy Grant Bayliss | October 31, 2007 06:32 PM
FABULOUS!! I'm so happy that you won!!!
Posted by: Jenster | October 31, 2007 08:12 PM
CONGRATULATIONS! You probably don't need to hear it from me, as it's obvious you have a very dedicated, 9,000+ following :) - but your style and passion really shows through in your blog entries, and I'm so thrilled to have gone up against you. Best of luck in the future!
Posted by: Jess | November 1, 2007 12:22 AM
Congrats. Now get back to class, work, and treatment. We want you well!
;)
Posted by: Joel Maners | November 1, 2007 02:57 PM