Last year, on February 25, 2008, I entered a contest for my little sister to win Jonas Brothers tickets. I had promised my sister tickets to go see the Jonas Brothers when they came down to our town, but when I tried buying her tickets, they were sold out. When the teller at the ticket booth said that there were no more seats available for the concert, I felt my heart sink with the fear that my sister was not going to be able to see her favorite group.

My little sister and me in front of our Limo...

I did not know how to tell my sister that her big sister was not able to get her tickets to her favorite artists. For months prior to the concert, she would print out tour dates on when the group would be coming down and ticket prices to all the locations in wh ich they would be performing. Remembering all the effort and time she took looking up dates and prices for this band showed me how much she looked forward to seeing them. I knew I had to find a way not to let her down.

I knew that the next concert in our area was on March 1, 2008, and with the concert being only about a week away, I knew that I had very little time to get tickets. On Sunday morning, February 24, 2008, I felt that any glimpse of hope at finding tickets was diminishing. Later that afternoon, as I was listening to the radio station, the spokesperson on the radio started talking about how three lucky individuals could win tickets to go see the Jonas Brothers.

As soon as I heard that there was a chance to win tickets, I jumped at the opportunity. The man on the radio proceeded with the advertisement by saying that, in order to win tickets, individuals had to submit a two minute or less video on the radio station’s website showing their “SOS”. “SOS” is the Jonas Broth ers’ most popular hit on their album. So the rules consisted of individuals doing whatever they wanted to do (singing, dancing, etc.), in under two minutes, using the “SOS” song and whatever skill they chose to demonstrate. Thus, I thought that I would choreograph a martial arts routine that would be under two minutes and that would accompany the song that was required. Contestants had to submit their videos no later than 12 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2008. The contest ended with a total of 60 videos submitted for the chance to be in the top three videos. Individuals were allotted five days to vote on their favorite “SOS” video. The contestant with the most votes at the end would win: a limo ride to and from the concert, front row seats, and meet and greet backstage passes.

On Friday afternoon, the voting ended and the radio station would not reveal who the winner was until Saturday morning, March 1, 2008, the day of the concert! I woke up extremely early Saturday morning to listen for the results of the contest. As the spokesperson revealed the third and second place winners with their prizes, tickets to see the Jonas Brothers, I felt my heart pounding at an uncontrollable rate with anticipation and fear that I might not be chosen. A fter about ten minutes of revealing the third and second place winners, they finally revealed the grand prize winner, a limo ride to and from the concert, front row seats, and meet and greet backstage passes. After a week of voting, thanks to my family, friends, and all the people that graciously voted for me, I ended up earning the most votes, winning the tickets for my sister and me to attend the concert.

My little sister and me with the Jonas Brothers...

I loved seeing my little sister gleaming with excitement and knowing that she was going to go see her favorite band and not only just attend their concert but also be able to meet the group, making her the happiest little ten year old girl in the world. I felt very blessed and fortunate to have been able to have the support of my friends, family and the other people who voted for me in this contest. I know that my sister will never forget the day that she was able to go see and meet the Jonas Brothers. It was also very important to me to be able to showcase the martial arts in a positive way and demonstrate a different side of the martial arts.

From now on, whenever we turn on our local radio station, we will always remember that special day in both our lives, a memory that we will never forget, and that my sister and I will share forever. You can write me at: LindaBustamante@worldblackbelt.com

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