You will love this!

I'm a Fellow!

Last weekend I became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. No, I'm not an optometrist, but rather an administrator for an association that provides optometric post-graduate education. Amazing education. Best in the world level education. Par excellence!

I'll upload photos of the incredible event as soon as I get them from Shelley.

It was a moment in my life that will follow me for a long time, as Joe Shovlin said to me before the ceremony. I was last in the line. The staff responsible for the lining up of the 150 fellows asked me if it was okay to put me last, since I might get some extra recognition from the audience. It was totally fine with me, as I was the one running the Powerpoint as the diplomates were recognized. Which was followed by the procession of 150 new Fellows. Me, at the end.

Each person that went up had a chance to say their name, what school they graduated from, and where they currently practice. As I got up to the microphone, Lois tells me that Past President Joe Yager started running across the front of the stage pumping his arms with a sign in his hands that read something like "Helen rocks!" or "Helen!Helen!Helen!". I just noticed that many people in the front two rows of this black-tie event erupted to their feet with more foam-core mounted signs in their hands that had the Academy's logo and a few different sayings like "We [heart] Helen." I couldn't be heard over the ruckus, so I affected the superstar pose and shouted into the microphone "I am Helen Viksnins of the American Academy of Optometry!" (I'm sure the sound guys loved that.)

I crossed the stage to President Rick Weisbarth who said "First the handshake for the camera and then the hug!" Then off the stage to collect my certificate folder, receive not only a sash that read "Madam AAO" but also a pink crown! And hug the staff and Board and Committee members that stood in a long receiving line. It was marvelous. The best reward for all of the good hard work I have done for the Academy.