Updates
UPDATES
So here's my attempt to keep you up-to-date on what's happening (some stuff, not everything!) The most recent stuff is at the top, so scroll down to the bottom and start there for the whole story! :-)
I'm Movin' on with Rotary!
I found out today that the girl who "just edged" me out of a win at the district Rotary contest (their words, not mine!) can't move on to the next level, so they've asked me to go in her place!
I was excited to hear the news, but WOW, what a busy schedule I have...this week I am going to the DECA California Conference, then on 3/26 I have to go to San Jose for Rotary, and I have to come back that night to perform in West Side Story...the next day is closing night for West Side Story, and I have a red eye flight out to Washington, D.C. for the Close-Up trip! YIKES!
I'll be in Washington, D.C. the last week of March, and then 2 weeks later I'll be gone for JROTC Leadership Camp, then in LA for the Miss Teenage California pageant...ever the traveler! :-)
Send good vibes my way for the speech contest!!!
Since opening night is creeping closer, we've been having daily rehearsals for the past couple weeks...which means I'm at school from 7 AM (zero period JROTC) until 10:00 PM when rehearsal ends!
I had to skip track practice 2 days last week so I could have enough time to work on my APUSH and Marketing class projects. Plus I have 2 college classes that I'm taking and I have to do a lot of reading for those, too...
But we are all excited about opening night; I'm sure it's going to be great!
Athena Girl of the Month /Teen Spotlight, March 2010 - The Teen Toolbox
Here are the articles! Not 100% accurate, but pretty darn close...
Rotary Speech - District Level - 2nd Place!
So I placed second in the district level contest...unfortunately, I drew the first slot, and the first person who goes almost always never wins! But I have to say the winner had an excellent delivery; although I believe I had the best content! I am pleased to have participated and won some more money, and was proud to represent Alameda! My teacher has already told me he wants me to enter again next year, so now that I have this experience under my belt, I'm goin' for the "W" next time! See my video posted on page 2.
Rotary Speech Contest - Next Level
Tuesday is the next step in the Rotary Speech Contest. I won the club level, so I think mythis is the district level where the area club winners compete. I'm not sure who I'm competing against; but I guess I'll just plan on giving it my best shot - that's all I can do!
I'm Back from San Diego!
So I'm back from the 2010 ANTSO California pageant. Although tiring, it was a lot of fun and it was great to see Evelina and Monica Godecki - my sister queens - again! And of course, Jenny and Michael were there and it was great working with both of them - especially Michael the choreographer.
All the girls were really nice and I hope they all decide to return next year! I wish them luck at nationals. For some pics, check out the photo gallery!
So I'll be in San Diego this weekend for the 2010 California ANTSO pageantDiego. to crown my successor. I'm looking forward to seeing Michael, the choreographer again. He's a whole lot of fun! And of course, in sharing some time with my sister queens for the last time and checking out the competitors!
I will be helping wherever I need to, and emceeing the event so it will be a lot of fun!
I'm looking forward to hanging out in San Diego. :-)
(Moved this off the home page to here.)
Bay Area Teen is Pageant Bound (Again!)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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PR Log (Press Release) – Jan 29, 2010 – As the reigning Miss California National Teenager, Kaeleigh Thorp will be traveling to San Diego this February to crown her successor. “I had an extremely busy year since being crowned,” said Thorp, who has made many Bay Area appearances during her reign. Thorp was a “celebrity judge” for a Bay Area talent competition in San Francisco, invited to emcee the community stage at the City of San Leandro’s 100th Cherry Festival, volunteered at the USS Hornet 4th of July celebration in Alameda, and judged the talent portion of the Miss Black California pageant in San Jose, among many other appearances. At the state competition last April when Thorp was crowned, she received a model and talent contract, was recognized for outstanding academic excellence, received a half-tuition scholarship to the Milwaukee School of Engineering, a $2,000 renewable tuition scholarship to the University of Charleston, and won the Citizenship Award (based on scholastic achievement, leadership and volunteerism) “Next up for me is the Miss Teenage California pageant competition in April,” said Thorp, who will be competing as Miss Teen Alameda County 2010. The Miss Teenage California winner will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship or $7,000 cash (her choice). All girls who make the top 10 will receive at least a $1,000 scholarship. Other prizes include an all-expense paid trip to compete in a national pageant in Washington, D.C., a shopping spree in Beverly Hills, a digital camera, luggage, gift cards, and an assortment of other prizes. The scoring emphasis is on achievements and activities, but scores for personality and appearance are also included. With so much scholarship money at stake, competition is stiff. But Thorp’s impressive résumé proves she can hold her own against the toughest competition. Some highlights include being a member of Mensa, the International High IQ Society, Intertel, and the Top One Percent Society; being the Alpha Company Commander in her school's JROTC program; serving as a fall intern for President Obama’s “Organizing for America”; serving as a Youth Attorney; being a featured weekly columnist for an online teen news outlet; simultaneously maintaining a 4.43 high school GPA and a 4.00 community college GPA; participating in DECA and the Junior Statesmen of America club; being a member of the varsity track and field team and lettering in shot put and discus; being the recipient of the first-ever National Teen Leadership “All-Around Inspiration” Thorp also participates in school musicals - previously performing in Carousel and RENT - and will portray “Rosalie” in the spring production of West Side Story. She was featured in several public service announcements and a Barack Obama video during the political campaign season. She has since booked several educational videos for Pearson Learning and was cast in a national Rexona television commercial. She has done print, web, and runway modeling; is a Marla Dell fit model; was a Nature’s Cure “Clear Confidence” national top 5 finalist; and a Neutrogena “Fresh Faces” national top 15 finalist. The Miss Teenage California pageant is scheduled to take place the weekend of April 23-25, 2010 in Los Angeles. |
Athena of the Month
I just found out that I will be the featured "Athena of the Month" for March! :-) Athena is an online magazine started a couple years ago by a college-aged girl to be sort of an "anti-17" magazine. There are a lot of writers, and they try to focus more on substance rather than teen celebrities and gossip. When I get a copy of the article, i will post it in the updates section. Stay tuned! :-)
I Won the Rotary Speech Contest!
The speech contest was today; despite my disadvantage of not having much time to prepare/write/practice, I won! There were 4 of us - 2 from my high school, 1 from the other big public high school, and another from the parochial high school -- all girls.
My classmate Kiara was fantastic, but she was penalized because she went over the 5 minute time allotment. :-(
I came in first, and the other 3 "tied for 2nd place". The newspaper took a group photo, so I will post that whenever it turns up.
Onto the next round! :-)
I Will Be the March 2010 "Spotlight Teen of the Month"
Check out www.theteentoolbox.com in March! I was selected to be the featured "Spotlight Teen of the Month". "I think that Kaeleigh is the PERFECT teen to SPOTLIGHT for Women's History Month." That's pretty cool! If you don't know what The Teen Toolbox is, it's a youth development consulting company dedicated to providing mentorship and life skills programs and activities that enhance the strength s and experiences of teenagers and empowers them to take charge of their lives and develop into their potential. I am honored to have been selected!
Rotary Speech Contest on Tuesday, February 9, 2010!
So my APUSH teacher told me and my classmate Kiara that he entered us into the local Rotary Speech Contest...mind you, he's known about the contest since the first week of January, but just told us LAST WEEK! I literally just wrote my speech over the weekend, and the speech contest is TUESDAY!!! ARGH. We practiced today by giving our speeches to a public speaking class.
Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to memorize it by tomorrow -- but we're allowed to use one 3x5 card...I had to write my speech hecka tiny on it because I don't have it memorized. It's pretty small, but I've been practicing so I hope I'll at least perform well!
I feel a little bit at a disadvantage because I'm sure the other students in the competition have been working/practicing on their speeches for at least a full month; but hey, you never know...maybe me or Kiara will put out the big win!!!
Open House & 8th Grade Info Night
Wednesday is Open House at my school and 8th Grade Information Night, when current 8th graders come to find out about our school and what high school is like.
I'm going to be pretty busy that evening...my Songfest group was the only asked to perform, to give the 8th graders an idea of what Songfest is like. I was also selected to be on one of the two debate teams so they can experience what an AP debate is like, as well. And the West Side Story cast is going to perform.
Our Info Nights are usually pretty good, especially compared to the other high school. Their 8th graders sit in the auditorium and are basically "talked to" by the Principal. We always throw performances and examples in, just so the incoming students can get a realistic feel for what some of their classes might be like.
I am looking forward to it; it should be fun!
Bank of America - Applying to be a Student Leader
I'm working on my application to become a Bank of America Student Leader! It's due February 17. Basically, I'm done with my portion - I just need my principal and two of my teachers to write me letters of recommendation that I can upload with my application.
This is a really exciting opportunity for young people who want to effect change in their communities!!! It includes an 8-week paid internship at a local nonprofit and a week long Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. I'm sure competition is tough, but I'm hoping I get selected for this great opportunity; I've been to many leadership conferences and trainings, and it would be really great to work directly with a local non-profit as an intern and put some of what I've learned to practical use!
Wish me luck. :-)
Organizing for America Internship Ends
OK, I haven't received any "official" word - I would think they would send us a paper certificate or something - I'm pretty sure the internship is over since it was supposed to run from September to December 7. We started late; I don't think I was interviewed until the last couple weeks of September, but it's already been 4 months, so I'm assuming we're all finished.
It was a lot of fun! I met some great people at the data parties and it was great to be able to help out the cause by doing some data entry and inputting. Even my Mom signed up and helped input data!
Another Day, Another Pageant!
So this week I have to complete my application to the Miss Teenage California pageant. It's pretty prestigious, and what I like about it is everyone in the Top 10 gets some kind of scholarship money to use wherever they like, which is what I'm really looking forward to! This pageant is going to be very different, however; I heard last year there were 160 contestants! I know I have a great resume and I interview really well, but keep your fingers crossed that I don't get lost in such a big sea of accomplished young women!
The pageant's going to be in LA in April. I have to crown my National Teenager successor in February - I heard from another contestant that they moved the event from Fremont to San Diego, but I've yet to here from anybody telling me so...um, OK...I hope they let me know soon - it's already almost January! I don't even know what weekend in February it is for sure...but as long as they're paying for me to return to crown my successor, I'm cool. Maybe I can do some emceeing as well - that will be fun!
West Side Story - here we come!
Our spring musical is going to be West Side Story. Although I really wanted the role of Anita, I am going to be Rosalie, who pretty much sings "America" with Anita, anyway. Sadly, it was a domino effect...basically if there's a senior who wants a major role, they'll get it if they're at least halfway decent. So that started the bumping! My friend who wanted to be Marie got bumped to Anita, and I got bumped to Rosalie! Oh, well...I'm sure it will still be fun and a lot of work. Looking forward to getting started once we get back from break!
College GPA - FINALLY!
I was sweatin' a little bit...this fall I had physical anthropology and cultural geography as my college classes. Although, I have to admit the cultural geography class was REALLY easy. I even got 100% on my paper about Australian Aborigines, and the teacher's comments were "I don't often give perfect scores on papers, but yours was so outstanding."
It was the physical anthropology class that I was worried about. It was a lot of reading, a lot of technical terms, and a lot of quizzes! I got an "A" on my paper for that class, too, "Darwinius masillae as a transitional species", but I barely squeaked out of the class with an A! My overall grade was 89.58, and it rounded up to a 90 to give me an A. WHEW!
At least so far I'm able to maintain my 4.0 college GPA...but in the spring I have macro economics and Mexican/Latin American Relations, so we'll see how that goes!
SONGFEST 2009!
Songfest 2009 was held on Thursday night. :-) We were the last group of Juniors to go, and we got a great response! Check out our latest performance on the videos page. (I'm the one who's portraying the teacher - the one in the shorts).
LATEST EDUCATION VIDEOS!
I posted the most recent education videos I was in. I was going to just crop to my own parts, but the format's not compatible with Microsoft Movie Maker, so sorry, you're stuck with the whole thing! Check the video page for the uploads.
FIRST REPORT CARD
I FINALLY got my report card and all my hard work paid off! I got an "A" in every class, and my GPA is 4.429, which is the highest I can get. :-) My goal is to maintain that GPA throughout the course of the year...keep your fingers crossed! The busier I get, the harder that goal is, but as always, I'll give it my best shot.
I joined DECA and we are fundraising for a competition in December. We had a "mock" DECA conference on Saturday with real DECA judges. It was a pretty easy role play exercise, so I'm hoping the actual conference goes just as well.
And the AP Songfest is also coming up in December. My group has been working feverishly on our routine. We have all our music and have only 1 song left to do choreography to. Auditions are next Tuesday (11/24) and the Songfest is December 10. I'm sure Nhi will videotape it again, so I will post it on the video page when it's done!
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!
So including all the activities I mentioned below, I have a pretty decent schedule this year, too. I have JROTC zero period, which starts at 7:00 AM so still have to get to school early every morning. I decided to take my track coach's Marketing class, which is involved with DECA, so maybe I will get involved with that club and do some competitions, as well. I have AP English, AP Biology, and AP US History, and I decided to take Marine Biology with Horwitz this year, too. I also have ceramics -- I need some down time! But I will basically be done with my credits by the end of this year because of the college classes I'm taking. This semester I have Anthropology and Cultural Geography. I plan to take Statistics over the summer so I have another year of math. Needless to say, I am a master of time management and organization! I'm working hard to stay on top of everything I need to do this year...
INTERN FOR OBAMA!
I submitted myself for an Internship with Organizing for America. I was interviewed and am waiting for more information, but very excited about this opportunity! As you know, President Obama is all about grass roots efforts, so this internship will be very different from traditional ones. I am ready to go and to get involved in spreading President Obama's message to the people!
KAELEIGH THORP - YOUTH ATTORNEY!
I participated in an intensive summer training program for the McCullum Youth Court. Basically, we covered all different aspects of trying cases, and other job duties like the Clerk and Bailiff. We had a picnic at the end of the program, and I was voted Valedictorian of my class. I just tried my first 2 cases last week and it was fun! One of the judges ruling on one of my cases said that I sounded like a real DA in my arguments. My friend Kelly told me that the other judge was looking for me after my case, but I didn't know that so I didn't stick around.
Anyhoo, it's a lot of fun -- I have to dress professionally, read up on the cases, and prepare my opening statements, arguments, and closing statements. It's great practice and for now I'm really enjoying it!
MORE EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS FOR PEARSON!
I was asked to return this year to shoot more videos for Pearson Learning. There were a lot of kids this time, and they included a day of rehearsals. It was still a lot of fun - I participated in two videos, one about finance and one about insurance. Hopefully I will get links again and post them on my videos page.
MISS TEEN ALAMEDA COUNTY!
So I found another pageant to enter next year after I give up my Miss California crown in February. It's the Miss Teenage California scholarship pageant, and it is great for me because it really IS focused on scholarship. And it's a much better value than most pageants out there; the entry fee actually INCLUDES my hotel stay, and if I win, it will include an ALL EXPENSES PAID trip to the nationals in Washington, D.C. Not that I expect to win, but it will be great competing in a real scholarship pageant since that's where I excel. :-)
MEET YOUR NEW 2009 MISS CALIFORNIA NATIONAL TEENAGER!
Yep, that's right - I WON! This is my second time participating in the ANTSO (America's National Teenager Scholarship Organization) pageant. I really like it - it's very similar to the JTA (Junior Teen America) system, which I competed in several times, as well.
The pageant took place in Fremont, California over Easter Weekend, and I was crowned on Saturday, April 11, 2009. I met a lot of really nice girls and look forward to helping rebuild the California pageant (there is no state director; Jenny Telwar, the National Director, facilitated the pageant this year).My Mom took some photos - I will post those in my gallery once we get them uploaded. Thanks to everyone for support - especially Sal at Orbit Skate Shop in San Leandro! If you haven't been, it's a great little place...skateboards, clothing, piercings, etc. Check it out the next time you're in San Leandro! :-)
RENT PHOTOS IN MY GALLERY!
Posted some photos from the RENT production in my photo gallery!!! Still working on getting some live video, but check out the pics for now!
MY SCHOOL'S DOING "RENT"!
So my high school is one of the first ones to be doing a production of RENT! We have been working out BUTTS off, and opening night was last night. It was a packed house - in fact, they actually had to bring out MORE chairs! I think because it's more modern, and it's fresh in peoples' minds, too. I am in the general cast, but I also play a waitress during the "La Vie Boheme" number, and I'm a dancer in "Tango Maureen", and I'm also the blanket homeless lady. Unfortunately for me, my mic wasn't loud enough opening night -- my Mom said she didn't hear a word I sang during the blanket homeless lady part. :-( But I am working on getting a DVD of the last dress rehearsal, so I will post my bits in the video gallery. SEASONS OF LOVE, people! :-)
FINALLY - NO MORE METAL MOUTH!
Got my braces off (FINALLY) a couple weeks ago. :-) Great timing, because I just took some new headshot photos last Sunday! It was wierd the way it kept working out...the rain kept delaying my photo shoot, and my appointment to get my braces kept getting postponed. Finally, it worked out to where my braces came off and then the weather cleared for my pics!
Shot them in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco with KIRA STACKHOUSE. She is editing and cropping and what not -- can't wait to see them! It's been such a long time since I've seen a photo with no braces! I'm pretty sure she got some good shots, and I felt pretty good about it, so I'm sure there'll be something to work with! Will post in my gallery once I get the CD of photos.
ARGH - I STILL HAVE BRACES!!
I was told they would come off on January 27, but when I got to the orthodontist, they said they had to take impressions in order to fit me with a retainer, and couldn't remove my braces yet. In fact, they put TIGHTER wires on and rubber bands on BOTH sides of my mouth! It's been really fun eating nothing but mashed potatoes for the past couple days and trying to sing in Rent rehearsals!
My next appointment is February 16, which is conveniently the day AFTER my photoshoot for new headshots -- which were supposed to be WITHOUT braces! I'm going to go ahead and take the photos, because I could potentially be losing work if my management agency doesn't have updated headshots to submit for jobs...
I'm not even sure if they're going to take my braces off on February 16, either, but I hope they do!
NEW VIDEO POST!
Posted a youtube video of my group's performance form this year's AP Euro Songfest. Enjoy! :-)
UPCOMING PAGEANT!
I'll be competing in the American's National Teenager Scholarship pageant again for the California teen title. It's in April, the day before Easter, but I'm gearin' up and gettin' ready!!! The skateboard shop that sponsored me last year has already told me they will sponsor me in whatever I'm in throughout my lifetime! I thought that was really nice of them. Whenever I'm in there and the owner's there, he'll come out and tell all the other shoppers that he sponsored me last year and I got 2nd runner up in the state competition, and that I'm Miss San Leandro. LOL Gotta love that kinda support, right??
ENCINAL FIRST HIGH SCHOOL TO PERFORM RENT!
Yeah, so my high school is the first one to put on a production of Rent! How cool is that? And yes, of course, I'm in the cast! I'm also "blanket person"...if you've seen Rent then you know who that is. Rehearsals are going on now, and we perform in March. Hope I can get some clips to post.
BRACES COMING OFF ON JANUARY 27!
FINALLY! My ortho appointment is at 2 PM on January 27. Finally after 3 years these braces will be coming off. And I have a photo shoot for new headshot scheduled in February, so this is perfect timing...can't wait to get more work! I'm really looking forward to earning some more dollars!!!
STILL LOOKING FOR REXONA!
SORRY, HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN AWHILE!
No real updates since the Rexona commercial shoot, but I've been busy with community service stuff - gathering, boxing, and shipping stuff up for our adopted Marines, and my JROTC class is working on holiday cards for the Army Stryker Brigade Combat Team!
So I wrapped up 2 days of shooting today. First day, Sunday, my call time was 6:15 AM! Yeah, it was E-A-R-L-Y! Basically, we ran and screamed all day -- the scenes are of us girls chasing after some kind of performer. We had a bus take us to a few different locations in SF, then we wrapped for the day.
Today, we were still screaming, but there was no running around. They pretended the SF Opera House was a hotel, and they set up barricades outside the "front" of the hotel and we girls were behind the barricade and we had to scream like there was a rock star arriving. Then we had to look up at a window and pretend he was looking at us.
I also had 3 hours of school today on set, so I brought some stuff to finish, but mostly read Candide for my English 2XP class.
Anyway, we found out that the Axe Commercial we were all selected for is actually for a product called Rexona, and the commercial is specifically for the South American market, so we'll probably never see it! Unless, of course, someone from South America decides to post it on You Tube...I hope someone does; I'd like to see it after all that running around and screaming I've done for 2 whole days!
So maybe a couple weeks ago, or so, my Mom submitted me for an Axe Body Spray commercial -- they asked for ages 16 - 23, but I went anyway. Guess they liked me - they went ahead and let me audition and filmed me -- I had to act like I was a concert goer who was completely GA GA over the performer. It was interesting, to say the least! Got a call Friday that they selected me as one of the girls for the commercial!!! It should shoot next Sunday/Monday. Not sure of the particulars, but I'm guessing I will be one of the concert goers in the crowd, I guess. Will keep you posted!!!
Yep, got offered a contract with Tami Erin!!! For those of you who don't know who she is, she was Pippi Longstocking (The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking), and she's a really beautiful woman who acts and models and started her own agency. Right now, they are in LA and are expanding to the Bay Area and were looking for talent. My Mom submitted me - and the rest, as they say - is history! :-) Keep your fingers crossed for me that I get lots of good opportunities! I'm really looking forward to working hard with them to be successful. My Mom signed the contract on Friday, so I guess as soon as Tami signs off on it, I'm golden!
I had an interview with a model and talent agency already established in LA that is opening an office in SF, and they offered me a contract! :-) When it's signed, sealed, and delivered, I will reveal all - but for now, I'm excited to have someone working on my behalf, and hopeful that I will be in more film, commercial, print, and fit campaigns!
Check the videos page for a link to the Vote No on Proposition 8 "Hello" PSA. Basically, he spliced our intro pieces -- saying our name and that we are voting no or we oppose Proposition 8. This is an "extra" piece, but the first one done.
So I'll be shooting another PSA this weekend, urging California voters to vote "No on Prop 8". It's got a very tight deadline, obviously, because the elections are only a couple weeks away - I'll post it when I get a copy or link.
So if you check out the videos page, you will see 2 links to the education videos I did for Pearson Learning. The first one is my solo presentation, and the second is when I was part of a group presentation. Enjoy!
Check the video page to watch the public service announcement in its entirety! Thanks to Director Stephen Marshall, Producer Lisa Hsu, and the entire crew for a job well done!!!
PRESS COVERAGE FOR PSA!
In the local paper today, there was a large article about the JROTC Cadets participating in the PSA, with an accompanying photo of me next to the director and the cadets in the background! Pretty exciting -- read more in the pdf file below!
FUTURE SUPERMODEL?
So my Mom has been shopping my photos around to some different agencies (via snail mail). We found out, through research and some word of mouth, that I am actually a perfectly proportioned plus model! (Regular fashion models are usually a size 0-2, sometimes to a 4 if you're really tall; plus models range from sizes 10-16).
Wish me luck!
PSA FOLLOW-UP
I received an e-mail yesterday from the producer of the public service announcement that said (and I quote!):
"...It was amazing, and the footage looks fantastic. We are so thrilled. Kaeleigh is a star."
How cool is that??? The PSA is still scheduled to launch on the 20th, so will post once I receive my copy!
PSA SHOOT AT MY SCHOOL
The PSA was shot on Friday! All 16 people I handpicked to be in the shoot were there, dressed in their Class A uniforms and ready to go. The director arrived with a cameraman, sound person, and another helper. We practiced marching while they waited for the sun to come up a little bit more so they could get some natural light in the shot.
They had us move to the track where I commanded the marchers, and then I read my lines. The group got to get in on it too! They recited the "We, the Youth of the United States" line! So we all get to have a speaking part in it, which is really cool. We were done before first period, but had to rush to change out of our uniforms and get to class.
The PSA should be out around October 20. I am supposed to get a link and/or copy, so will share if I can when it comes in. In the meantime, check out some photos!
"GENERATION WE" PSA
So I got confirmation today from the Producer, Lisa, that the shoot is a go! I'm so excited -- I think it will be really cool to have the Jet Battalion and my school featured in this PSA! Lisa sent me the script and it reads like it's going to turn out to be a pretty cool shoot. I don't have exactly which lines I am going to read, yet, but the Director, Stephen, will send them to me and may ask me to do some "on the spot", too.
This campaign is supposed to kick off later in the fall, but before the Presidential election which is only 5 weeks away. I'm sure the JROTC program, and probably the whole school for that matter, will be "abuzz" once the news leaks out about the shoot.
Wish us luck!
