Bam, another golfer, hits at 113 yards. Everyone is cheering as it hits the green including me. But all I can think about is what will happen tonight. What if I get the sponsorship!? What if I don't?! Will I cry or will I be shy? All this races through my head then my mom taps me saying “Get them their tickets.” bringing me back. It feels like a time lapse one after another golfer hits and everyone cheers then the next. I’m so nervous so Vinny and I drive the golf cart around to see if they hit the green.
After 5 hours of suspense it's finally time for the banquet. We look in all the drawings and carefully choose what buckets to put our tickets in. There was Clam, Angry Minnow, and a bunch of other sponsors from all over Minnesota. My dad put a lot in and let's just say it benefited him. Then it was time for the delicious spaghetti dinner. I loaded up my plate with lasagna, spaghetti, and a breadstick then sat down to eat.
The whole night was the most suspenseful night of my life. Then Jake started explaining what FAM was and how it offers fishing clinics to kids for free! Jake slide after slide was explaining how awesome of an organization FAM was. Then he started talking about the future legends from the past 2 years, Callan Wagner, Kelsey Schmitt, and Blake Bussen. Then after talking for what felt like forever he said “Now it's time to announce 2023’s FAM future legend.
“There will only be one future legend this year unfortunately” then he named off all of their qualities and finally said “As you can tell by now they are a boy.” I felt my heart sink but I kept a smile on and whispered to my mom “It's okay I will apply again and hopefully get it next year.” I clapped for Reed because I was truly happy for him and hope he does awesome things for the organization. Then after Reed was told all the things that are included in the Future Legend award he sat down and then Jake said “I may have lied a little bit we do have one more legend” then he started describing them. He then said “She is in this room” Then I knew I was chosen. Then I saw the camera point toward me.
By the time he was half way through I felt the tears streaming down my face, and then before I knew it I was up there with everyone clapping for me. When I was up there I was told that when I get home I have a yellow Polaris 500 four wheeler waiting for me (I later named her Polly). After Jake asked me all the questions he needed to ask I walked back to my chair. As I walked everyone was high fiving me, saying congratulations, and saying how much I deserved it.
I later congratulated Reed and looked at the drawings for the prizes. My dad had won a lot of stuff and I was very happy for him. Then as I was taking pictures with my family I spotted Waldo from the show Crappie Chronicles on YouTube in the corner of my eye and before I knew it he was walking toward me and Reed. He asked if Reed and I would like to come out for an episode on the show fishing with him and the other guys! I was so surprised I couldn't believe the guy I watch on tv all the time, the guy I learned so much from wants to go fishing with me? I immediately said yes!
I was so overwhelmed in excitement and realized that all the work I put in with the golfing that morning, volunteering at all of those events and spending all those hours working toward this was all worth it. I am so excited that now I will be able to teach all the kids and hopefully leave as big of a mark as the last few Future Legends who I learned so much from as well! Last year I never would have thought that this year I would be the one going to SCHEELS, doing all of this amazing stuff with FAM but here I am. I am so grateful for my FAMily helping me get here.
- Khloe Thorson (2023 Future Legend)
@KhloesCatch