Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10 I watched the rest of the competition from my chair on the stage. It was amazing. You never know how smart and creative the kids around you are until they have a chance to show it off. Take Ryan Shimozato. He put a model rocket engine into his spaceship robot, and it flew all the way to the first row of chairs, where his brother Bobby caught it in a butterfly net. And Gracie Maloof's giant ant robot actually chewed on a large green leaf of kale just like a real leaf- cutter ant would do. And then she made it burp. Luke Whitman's robot was classic Luke Whitman. He pushed a button, and the long

finger on his robot hand started to turn. Then he held the finger up to his face, and yes, put it right into his nose. I will not describe what happened next, no matter how much you ask. Trust me, I am helping you not throw up. Principal Love ended Luke's demonstration early. "Thank you for your participation, Mr. Whitman," he said. "I think we've all seen more than enough." "But I haven't even gotten to the snot yet," Luke answered. "My point exactly." Principal Love led Luke to his seat. "Please sit down," he said. "And here's my personal handkerchief. Do not worry about giving it back." When all of us had demonstrated our robots, Principal Love called two of the teachers up onstage to help him pick the winner. While they were talking, everyone had to listen to Artie Higgenbottom play "This Land Is Your Land" on his viola. I could see most of the

kids in the audience putting their fingers in their ears to block out the sound. Finally, the two teachers and Principal Love reached a decision. I felt excited as Principal Love came to the center of the stage. Even though part of me knew I didn't have much chance to win, the other part of me had its fingers crossed. As my dad always says, "It's not over until it's over." "We have chosen a winner," Principal Love announced. "For her combination of creativity and scientific thinking, first place goes to George Henry and her ice-cream-making ballerina robot, Raspberry Swirl." George Henry was so excited that she jumped up and twirled all the way from her chair to Principal Love. He handed her the trophy, which she kissed and then held up over her head for everyone to see. To be totally honest, I was a little disappointed that I didn't win that big, shiny trophy. Okay, that was only kind of honest. I

was very disappointed. I could just see that trophy sitting on my desk, right next to my jar of colored pencils. But as I watched George Henry twirl into the audience to hug her parents, I thought, Good for her. When the audience's applause for George Henry had died down, Principal Love gave out the rest of the awards. Ryan's rocket got second place, and Gracie's leaf-cutter ant took third. Too bad, Hank, I thought to myself. Looks like you didn't win anything. But then a great thing happened. "To reward all the students who participated in our Build-a-Robot competition," Principal Love said, "each of you will receive an honorable mention certificate with the PS 87 gold seal." Wow! My ears almost jumped off my head. A certificate with a gold seal! I'd never gotten one of those before. I leaped out of my chair and marched right up to Principal Love. "I'd like to say a few words," I said.

"A very few, Mr. Zipzer," Principal Love whispered. "This is highly unusual." I took the microphone. "This is my first honorable mention ever," I said. "And it wouldn't have happened without the help of my friends, Ashley, Frankie, and Jaden. And especially Jaden, who is a genius at robots, and who really comes through when you need him." I could see Ashley and Frankie high-fiving each other. Jaden sat quietly next to his mom. I

gave him my best Zipzer wave. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him wave back. When the assembly ended, I ran into the crowd to show my mom and dad my certificate. On the way, I bumped smack into Nick McKelty. It's hard not to bump into him because his mouth alone takes up so much room. "Stop flapping that stupid piece of paper around," he said to me. "It looks like you're trying to fly." "This happens to be an honorable mention certificate," I said. "With a gold seal on it."