Tomorrow I will spend my Sunday being a juror for the 'Scholastic Art Awards' at PNCA. In all frankness, the first time I participated as a juror for this event, I was incredibly bored as well as frustrated with the indecisiveness of my fellow jurors.

Knowing this got me thinking about years ago when I was participating as a student in such competitions. A couple of instances came to mind fairly quickly. I will tell you briefly about both of them.

The first thought was of my last fashion runway show/competition during my senior year in college. Sister Aloyse was one of my (favorite) instructors. She was also the person who started the fashion program at my college many years earlier. Sister Aloyse gave me a healthy amount of freedom when it came to designing my costume collections. I usually created more pieces than required. The designs were also much more complicated than many of the other students in my class. This behavior wasn't intentional so much as it's just in my nature to create on a larger scale. I was always up for two days straight before the competition. I didn't procrastinate in the traditional sense, but I never had my projects done on time. I failed to create realistic timelines or at least designs that I could fit within those timelines. That being the case, I always pulled it off. However, in my senior year, I didn't finish one of my pieces, and I still needed to get it on the runway.

This collection was my best yet! Think 'Matrix' meets 'The Cell.' This collection was made of heavy vinyl and lined with liquid red metallic fabric — the floor-length dress, synched with chains. There was just one piece I didn't like. The skirt had a top that wasn't coming together well. The shirt was two pieces of vinyl crisscrossing over the chest that snapped together at the back — the sleeves and bodice, made of lace, had no stretch. The challenge was in the fitting of the garment. I could not get it dialed in. So, I used black electrical tape to keep the straps in place 10 minutes before the competition. No one could see this unless they got up-close and examined my garments. That was just one of 5 pieces. The rest of the collection was spot-on perfect.

The Mount Mary College annual fashion shows were a large scale production considering this was a private all-girls college. Fashion companies would attend as well as sponsor the show. Harley Davidson was one of the companies that regularly participated. This year they were offering an internship as well as and a monetary award towards designing a collection if I remember correctly. If I were going to be recognized by any company in the Milwaukee Wisconsin, then it would be Harley.

I was exhausted. I hadn't slept in 2 days, and I had been fueled only by coffee and food to stay afloat. The competition and fashion show wrapped up. I don't remember how they notified us of the competition results. Potentially it was announced during the last fashion show.

However, I do remember that I didn't win. It was not a surprise, but I still felt disappointed. After all, I did live in the midwest, and vinyl and chains would only go so far in the local fashion industry. I wasn't in New York, LA, London, or Tokyo. Chicago wasn't far away, but I wasn't there either. Disappointed, yes, surprized no.

After the last fashion show, there was always a reception for all of the designer's friends and family. Everyone celebrated the end of the year, work completed, and in this case, graduation. We ate, drank, and were merry on no sleep! Sister Aloyse came up to me and said, "I'm not supposed to be telling you this Angie but, had you finished your collection, you would have received the Harley Davidson award. They loved your costumes, but you didn't finish one, and therefore it was disqualified." I was stunned.

I have never forgotten this. It was the kindest thing Sister Aloyse could have done for me. Not only did I have the pleasure of knowing that Harley appreciated my designs, but I also understood that good ideas and intentions only get you so far. I did my best that year. It wasn't good enough to land the Harley Davidson award, but knowing how close I came was sufficient for me.

There was another event in college that sticks out to me as well. In my junior year, I applied for the George Winters Scholarship, which would allow me to travel to Paris with the fashion department and study abroad over the winter break. I honestly did not think I was going to get this scholarship. I and every other fashion student more than likely were applying.

At this time, I was taking an extra full load of credits, and I had a hard time keeping up with all of my classes. Part of the requirement to go on the trip to Paris was to learn French. I had 22 credits and was starting to fall behind in some of the courses. I decided to drop out of the French class. But, before dropping the class officially, I just skipped it. Not withdrawing for the course turned out to be a good thing. As soon as I began skipping the sessions regularly, the fashion department notified me that I would be receiving the Winters Scholarship. That took me by surprise, and then I panicked! French may be my first 'F' ever.

I survived the semester; my grades were not as good as usual. But I received the scholarship, and I was going to experience traveling abroad. When all said and done, this trip gave me the confidence and experience to visit other countries in the years to come. And yes, I got an F in French.

Tomorrow I will be on the other side of the fence. I will be the juror. The students are going about their life somewhere, unaware of what we are saying about their art. The results that the jurors come to tomorrow will affect the lives of all the students in some way. We will not know the effect our decisions have on each student in the years to come.

So, therefore, I shall be patient with my fellow jurors whom I feel are slow in decision making. I will be considerate of their struggles to make decisions on which pieces to move forward to the next round. I will be aware that the results may change lives; the change may be small but still a butterfly effect. I will be an excellent juror for the students who trust us to be nothing less.