By: Sydney
S.
Patricia Stoegbauer’s 4th Grade, Joan
Cargile, Principal
St. Joseph School, Herndon, VA
Chapter 1
"I' m going to be late for try-outs Mom!" said
Cindy one Saturday morning. Cindy loved soccer and was going to try-out for The
All City State Team. She had been waiting for this moment forever and now all
her hard work and practice was going to be put to the test. "Okay"
said Mom coming down the stairs with Cindy's little brother, Mikey in her arms.
Mikey was born right before Cindy's Dad died about two years ago from a head
injury i n soccer. Ever since then Cindy devoted her life to soccer. She
promised her bad she would continue playing soccer and try to love the sport as
much as he did. Long ago it was harder to love the sport because she was girly.
He would always try to get her to come out and practice with him, but she never
would. When she made the promise it was different. Cindy lived and breathed
soccer. As she gazed at posters of Mia Hamm, Qrandi Chesten, and Abby Wombac she
thought of her Dad. She missed him. Finally her Mom was ready to go. They all
piled into the van. They drove past Eddie's Ice Cream and Town Square. Finally
they got to the field. Cindy looked at all the girls down on the field.
"Maybe I should get back in the van and drive home" Cindy thought.
Then she heard her Dad's voice i n her head "Go get 'em tiger" he
used to say. Finally she approached the field. She saw her best friend Brooke
talking to her other friend Becky. "Hi" said Cindy. "Hey"
Brooke and Becky chimed in together. "There's a lot of people here"
"Ya" they all agreed. "Whoooo" a referee's whistle blew.
"Every one gather around" a tall blonde lady said. "I'm Mary and
I coach The A ( ( City State Team. We are looking for six new players, so let
the try-outs begin!! Cones were placed everywhere along with parent volunteers.
There were thirteen stations. Mary stared us all at different stations. The
main thing the stations were about were headers, kicking, trapping, and the six
basic turns. Most of the stuff was reviewing for Cindy. When the try-outs were
over Mary made her picks. "Okay everyone, I've made my decisions. When I
call your name please come up to receive your jersey. Melody Angles, Sara Crum,
Patty Heart, Brooke Baker, Becky Michaels and Cindy Carmichael." "
Yes" the girls screamed. "We made the team! "
Chapter 2
Brooke and Becky came over after try-outs. We watched old
soccer movies of my Dad and other players. Later when Mikey was asleep Cindy's
Mom surprised her with a chocolate cake in honor of her making the state
team.
Cindy and her Mom talked for hours about different topics.
About Cindy's bad and how proud he would have been for making The All City
State Team, and what her new schedule would be like with soccer. Then Cindy
went up the stairs with a smile on her face. "Goodnight" said
Cindy's Morn. But Cindy wasn't going to bed, she had an idea. Cindy lay in bed
thinking. Her Mom's birthday was coming up and she wanted to surprise her. Her
Mom was a single, working mother and Cindy wanted to thank her Mom for
everything she does. She needed help. But where could she get it? Dad wasn't
here and Mikey was too young. Her friends Brooke and Becky would help! Some of
the neighbors would too! She thought the plan over throughout the night.
Finally Cindy went to bed pleased with herself. Tomorrow she would call her
friends and neighbors to ask for their help.
Chapter 3
In the morning Cindy called her friends. Both agreed and
thought it was a great idea!! The three girls made flyers for some of the
neighbor's help. When the
neighbors called back they sounded excited and full of
ideas. When Cindy's Mom went to the office on Monday, her friends and neighbors
came to start planning the surprise party. There would be a cake, ice cream, balloons,
streamers, party favors, drinks, and food. The neighbors promised to go to the
store and buy everything. The girls thanked them and finally they decided on a
date. July 10. That was three days away!! Mrs. Arnold said she would take Mom
to get her hair and nails done while we got the house ready for the party. When
every one left Brooke, Becky and Cindy got ready for soccer practice.
When they got to the field Mary had plans f or them. By the
end of practice the girls were exusted. On the walk home the three girls talked
about the party. With all the neighbors help it would be great!
Chapter 4
The next morning Cindy was excited. Today she went to the
store with her friends to buy her Morn's birthday present. Cindy wasn't sure to
buy her Mom some clothes or lotion or a gift certificate. That's why Cindy's
friends were coming to help her. When they got to the mall they went to The
Gap. They found a cute, sky blue top. Next they went to Bath +Body Works. They
got Cindy's Mom a set of body lotion. They had to leave because the girls had
soccer practice.
That night Cindy went to bed early so she would have energy
for the party tomorrow.
The next day Mrs. Arnold took Mom to get her nails and hair
done. Everyone came over with the item they were assigned. When we had the
house ready we called Mrs. Arnold. She said they would be home in five minutes.
"Okay" said Cindy. Soon they heard a car coming in the garage and
everyone hid. "So thanks Judy for taking me to get my nails and hair done.
Where is my fam.." SURPRISE!II everyone said. "Wow" said Mom.
"What is this all about?" "It's a surprise party for your
birthday!!" said Cindy. "Oh, honey you didn't have to do this."
"But I wanted to" said Cindy " And, well, I've got something to
say. First, thank you all for helping me with this party. Also Mom, I've got
something to say to you.
Well, here it goes:
Even though Dad is gone, we all think of him. Whether to
play with or two talk to or just to say "Hey, what's up?" we all miss
him. You miss him, I miss him, we all miss him and, well, sometimes I think of
him and how
he's in a better place then us. Well, this party wasn't
about Dad it was about you, Morn. So I think we all want to say............
Happy Birthday!
Cindy's Mom was sitting down crying. "Thank you all for
coming" said Mom " Are you ready for your cake?" said Mrs.
Arnold. "Ya!!" everyone screamed. "Let's sing Happy
Birthday!!" "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy
Birthday dear Mom (Jammie) Happy Birthday to you!!" After the party Cindy's
Mom opened her present. "Oh, my" said Mom "It's beautiful"
"Thanks" said Cindy " I could also use the body lotion"
Chapter 5
The next morning Cindy had a soccer game and they WON!!
After four straight wins The All-City-State Team made it to the championship!!
The game would be in two days, so Mary had them working hard. After two days of
torture Mary gave the girls a surprise. New jerseys special for the
tournament!! Each had the girls name and number along with the team name and
sponsor.
"Cool jerseys" everyone said. "Look, were
sponsored by Eddie's Ice Cream!" "Okay" said Mary "
Tomorrow is the big game. Everyone get a good night sleep and be here by 10:30
tomorrow."
Chapter 6
"Today's the big game" said Mom on Saturday
morning. "I made you pancakes!!" "Thanks Mom" said Cindy
"But I already had breakfast and I'm heading out to the field."
"Okay" said Mom." We'll have them tomorrow" " Oh and
Mom, will you be at the game?" "Of course" said Mom. "Good,
it starts at 11:00. See you there!! Bye!!" Cindy left and headed to the
field with her friends. Later, when Cindy's Mom arrived Mary had the girls
working hard. "Okay girls, bring it in. Today's the big game. It doesn't
matter if we win or lose because I'm very proud of you for making it this far.
Well, let's go out there and have fun!! " "1,2,3,.........
TIGERS!!!" all the girls screamed. First Springfield scored. Then Tigers
scored to tie it up. With 30 seconds left Becky Micheals headed towards the
goal. She passed the ball to Cindy Carmicheal. She shoots ......... and it hits
the post!! Springfield WINS!!! As the tigers walked off the field sad, Mary had
something to say. "Girls, you did a great job and Springfield is a tough
team. We have a party at Eddie's Ice Cream because of your hard work, but first
I have something to say. We have something the other team doesn't and it's more
valuable then winning. It's sportsmanship. Besides, winning isn't everything
and there's a saying that goes like this:
"Play With Heart,
Win With
Class,
Lose With
Dignity."
And that's what we did. So in my book, WE won the game. Now,
let's go to Eddie's Ice Cream!! "YA!!"