Have you ever heard the old saying "if you don't toot your own horn, no one else will" ?  I guess there are several ways of putting it - but that is how my mom always said it.  I think there is a lot of  modesty in me that finds this hard to write - but here we go...

My very first award was given to me when I was 1999.  It was a hand sized award for "courage and perseverance" while I was on my swim team.  It doesn't sound like much, but I remember only 1 of about 5 awards being passed out that year to top swimmers.   While I was a decent swimmer, I could never even come close to several girls who broke a few regional records.  So, I yes...I accepted the award for "miss congeniality" because boy did I try to win against all odds; and I tried with a smile on my face. 

Fast forward to 2020 (*shudder*):  I want to very proudly announce that I recently and honorably received the Frederick County Association of Realtor's Shining Star Award of 2020.  While there are no figures or hard data to prove that I am the shining star of Frederick County's real estate agents...it was certainly nice to be acknowledged for my volunteered time and effort I have put into the newly formed Advocacy Committee.   It is a mega-committee formed of 4 councils that I try very diligently to manage since October 2019 (mind you, in the midst of a pandemic).   Fair Housing Council, Legislative Council, Affordable Housing Council and RPAC Council all work very hard to keep the consumer in arms reach of home affordability in Frederick.  While there are many moving parts, it's been an honor to be the the first to Chair such complicated meetings with even more complicated subject matter. 

While I have received recognition and awards for black and white data:  I think about this Shining Star award with a lot of joy and nostalgia.  It is one of those awards that can't be determined by hard numbers or facts - much like my swim team award.  Turns out: my courage and perseverance is confirmed to be rather in tact 20 years later.   It kind of surprised me in all of the right ways! 

Well "toot toot!!" - as they say!  I'm so proud of myself and I hope you and yours are experiencing some wins - big or small - in the year of 2020 that will sure to go down in history! 

Written by Kat Royer

Welcome Home Realty Group

8/11/2020