For those who don't know, the
National Young Astronomer Award is run by the Astronomical League in the US every year. Basically they look amongst high school astronomers for the students who have done the most in the field of astronomy. I was bored last January so I entered, not thinking too much of it at the time.
Well let me say something: when you come home from your spring break vacation to find two messages on the answering machine from the President of the Astronomical League you get REALLY excited! You also get really excited when you hear back from him the next day and learn you placed 3rd in the NYAA competition (and the highest placing female). Woohoo!!!!! \
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So yea, that just made my day/week/month/whatever and was certainly a nice break from watching the mailbox waiting for college acceptance letters.
Plus, you know, it's nice to have a vindication of your activities and earn a few bragging rights. 8)
[taunt] I'm a bigger astronomy nerd then you are! [/taunt]