My freshman year in high school, as an assignment, we were required to submit a painting to the JFDSDC.  Much to my surprise I won 1st place in my age class (I was especially shocked as this was the first real watercolor painting I had ever done).  I decided at that point to enter every year after that till I graduated.  The next year I moved up an age class and won Best of Show for the State of Illinois, which then sent my painting onto the contest for Best in Show for the entire US.  Although I did not place at that competition, I felt very honored in winning for IL.  Although, I felt my paintings got better each year, I placed consecutively lower the last two years.