Josh Renaud's weblog detailing the exploits of his family in Ferguson, MO, USA. Starring Yoli, Jadzia, Ludi, Josie, and Joseph Renaud.
Today Josie had one of her best showings in a fencing tournament.
Several people commented on how far she has grown and improved since her first tournament appearance a little over two years ago. She was so scared and intimidated then. She still battles those feelings now, but today she managed to maintain her cool most of the time.
After the tournament, I asked Josie to recount the day’s events from her own perspective. Below is her conversation with me, edited for length and clarity.
In World War II, an LST (or “Landing Ship, Tank”) transported tanks, soldiers, vehicles and supplies directly to enemy beaches.
When the Tolkien Society announced in November 2024 that it was creating a new U.S.-based event called “Westmoot,” to be held in May 2025 in Kansas City at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, I knew I couldn’t miss it. Kansas City is practically my backyard!
With Ludi, Josie, and Joseph all in high school together for this one year, the fall musical presented a unique opportunity for all of them to be in the same show.
Josie has been fencing epeé in group classes at The Fencers Academy for two years.
But the coaches all say that if you really want to improve, you have to compete. That idea — competing in a real tournament — was daunting for Josie, but she decided to sign up for a tournament in Wentzville in January.
Josie’s big adventure with National History Day reached its conclusion this week.
Josie is headed to Washington, D.C.!
Continue reading “No debate about it, Josie’s headed to Washington”
Josie tells the story:
Okay. So, full disclaimer here — I don’t claim to remember this trip perfectly, accurately, or entirely. Most of the time I was reading or working on my coloring book.
WELL. I guess I should get to the point. This Spring Break, we (me, Ludi, Mamá, Papá, and The Boy) went to Hannibal, MO.
This summer, Josie and Ludi performed in “101 Dalmatians” and “Oklahoma!” with Miss Kathey’s Academy. It was a new experience for the girls, who previously had been in several Christmas shows, but not Broadway-style musicals.
I asked the girls what they thought of the shows.
Editor’s note: This year, Ludi, Josie, and Joseph all participated in “Miss Kathey’s Academy,” and performed in “The Very Big Christmas Show” in December. All of them did awesome. Josie in particular had a memory she wanted to share:
I am in Miss Kathey’s Academy. I didn’t really expect it, but Miss Kathey said she wanted a small kid to sing a solo called “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” She wanted someone 8 or under.
Me and my friend both went to Pastor Bob to try out. He chose me to do the solo! After that, we practiced once a month every month until December.
I was super-scared at our first performance. Even the tape that held the microphone on to my cheek made me scared. But when I got out on stage and looked at the audience, I realized I couldn’t just chicken out. I said my lines to Santa, the music started, and I began to sing.
