"The Race" by Derek Bright (Washington County Winner)
Ben is a kid at the age of 15 and has a normal family with everything he ever wanted. Although there is something he wanted to do and that was to do motocross. Motocross is racing with dirtbikes and you would win tons of money. His family was not super rich but not poor at the same time. He wanted to change the world and that anyone can accomplish anything if they put their best foot forward. Ben did have a dirtbike, in a matter of fact he had a red and white Honda. He got it for his birthday and that is the only thing he wanted. His dad use to have a dirtbike and he did motocross also. Ben believed he could win tons of money if he tried his best.
Ben was practicing doing stunts and being brave in his backyard when his dad yelled at him because he was running his lawn. Ben also went into the woods to ride his dirtbike where there was a trail that was meant for Hiking. They lived in Downeast Maine where there is nothing but trees. Ben did not have a mother because she died when ben was a little kid. So Ben and his dad were the only ones that had each other. 1 year later his dad surprised him with motor cross tickets. He was so excited that he could not sleep the next day. The race was in just a couple of days. Ben could not stop thinking of it. It was also during the summer so he did not have to go to school. Finally, it was time for the race held in Bangor. He had his dirtbike in the back of his dad's truck and when he got to the tracks he looked so scared. His dad looked at him and asked if he was ready for this and if he wanted to go back home. Ben took a deep breath while looking out the window and then said he was prepared for this moment.
He got his dirtbike to the tracks while other people were looking at him weirdly. He was a little nervous and scared because all of the other people are so much bigger than he is. Before the race started he looked around for his dad in the big crowd but could not see him. He notices that one of his friends Alex was racing also. He knew that Alex was better than he was. Before the race started a person said that we had to play nice and do our best. Then he mentioned that the winner will get a $1,000 check. Ben's mouth dropped.
Now it was time for the race, his heart was racing so much. At the moment they said to start your engines but ben already has his started. He knew he should not have started the engine, he knew something would have happened but he could not think about that right now. All you could hear was the crowd screaming and the engine breaking the sound barrier. Then the light on the side of the tracks turned red, 2 seconds later it turned yellow, then for all of his dreams to come true…. The light turned green. And the holders came down.
All of the other dirt bikes went zooming but Ben. He knew it, He knew he should not have started his engine so early. Since the holders came to own he fell over. He got up so fast and started his engine again. And not even 3 seconds later he was off. There were a few bumpy spots but he got through the like a champ. Then he got up to the other people that were racing, he got in 5 places. He shifted to 4 gear while going up the mountains, and you won't believe what happened next.
He got down the mountain then he noticed that he was in second place. He was so nervous that he might mess up or something. He looked to his right and saw that Alex was right next to him. The finish line was right in front of him. He could taste the victory but all of the sudden there were no brakes…
He tried to slow down because he was going way too fast but he could not. He notice that Alex was looking at him worried. Alex knew that something was wrong. Ben fell off his bike because he was unstable and Alex notice. He was right at the finish line when Alex slammed his brakes and knock his bike off. He ran to Ben to help him out. The bike fell on ben and he could not get up. Alex ran over and lifted the bike right up off of him and he helped Ben walk to the finish line. The other bikers were coming Alex saw so he tried to run faster while grunting. At last, they finally got it to the finish line panting to death and other bikers come by. Ben was so excited that he finished the race with Alex. The crowd was cheering and suddenly Bens's dad came out of the crowd hugging Ben so tight. Alex's mom came out running also. After they gave a huge hug they announced the winner of the race “And the winner of the race is… Alex and Ben!” said the announcer. The bikers picked him up cheering him on and on. Right after they cheered him a medic came out putting Ben on the bed. His dad was crying as ben got on the bed, Ben asked why was he crying in a low voice and he said because he put his best foot forward and he was so proud of him.
A few months later Ben was all healed up and he went to his room to look at the trophy he had won. Then he heard the door close and listened to his dad talking and he heard Alex. He was so confused that why Alex would be there. Right after Alex came right into his room saying that their parents are dating and they were going to be brothers since Alex's mom was single also. Their moms came in and told ben that they were going to have a brother because their dating. Ben said he was proud of him also. And that is the end of this story. Remember to always put your best foot forward.
Derek Bright, of Addison, wrote “The Race” as an eighth grader at Narraguagus High School. Derek’s inspiration for his story comes from his future goal of dirtbike racing. Derek is working hard to save for his dirtbike and hopes to have better luck in the future than his character Ben did. Derek is a member of the local Civil Air Patrol Squadron and is learning to pilot right now.