A few years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to be a judge on a DC Super Hero Girls themed episode of Cupcake Wars. After the show, I wrote a letters some of the non-winning contestants, which never got sent (my bad). But it’s still valid and true, so here’s a bit from it...
I know that you must be disappointed in the way the competition turned out, but you should be proud of the work you did on the show. You handled yourself so maturely and made some amazing treats. It may not feel like it now, but I know from experience that sometimes when big things don’t go our way, it can become something that make us stronger and more fearless for the rest of our lives.
When I was a junior in high school, I did this speech contest. After years of being a mediocre ballerina, a middling actress, and a really terrible athlete, speech came naturally to me. In this contest, I easily advanced through the city, district and state contests. At the national contest, I made it to the semi-finals. If I could do that the first time around, surely I could win the whole thing the next year! This sparked a fire in me and I was determined to crush it at the national competition my senior year.
So, for the next year, I was single-minded in my resolve. I researched, studied, and practiced until I was completely and utterly confident that I was going to win. At the first round of national competition, I stepped out onto the stage and delivered the “perfect” speech. It was flawless. I did my absolute best. I knew in the marrow of my bones that I had this in the bag. After that round, they posted the announcement of who had advanced to the next round and…my name wasn’t there. It must be some mistake! A grave injustice! But my best just didn’t make the cut.
I was devastated. I spent the next days of my “all-expense-paid trip” sobbing into a hotel pillow. But little by little, it got less painful and that experience forged in me a resilience that would serve me as I pursued my dream of becoming a writer. Knowing what it’s like to be told, “No, not this time,” when it’s something you really want can be something that serves to make you more powerful. You can do anything you want, be anything you dream, because all they can do is say “no, not for us” but they can’t really stop you.
Watching you bake, it is obvious how incredibly creative, smart, determined and talented you are. Whether you pursue baking as a career, or you decide to be a doctor, scientist, or reality TV mogul, I am sure you will bring those same skills to whatever you do and you will be unstoppable. You truly are a super hero girl!
Your wacky haired cupcake judge,
vaporwave
romaincrisis
prguitarman
tangentwithtanner
yousharknotpass
amandla
izzy806
