ilikegengar
Member
The plaque reads:
2008 Cason Award
Pokemon: The Journey of a Lifetime
For Inspirational Spirit of the Game.
On Saturday, March 1, 2008 I was presented with the “Cason Award” at the Oregon State Pokemon tournament.
As I sat at a table with other Pokemon players waiting for round 1 to start, Chris (Mr. Raichu) Clanton and Richard (BDS) Walkoski stood up and said they were presenting an award from an anonymous donor in honor of Cason Terjeson. Tears sprung to my eyes as I remembered this handsome young Oregonian, age 16, who died last summer in a farm accident. Cason was a kind-hearted soul with a bright smile; an excellent Pokemon player. . .
My thoughts of Cason were interrupted when I heard my name called. With wobbling legs I walked over to meet Cason’s parents and sister. What an honor! Chris handed me the plaque and reminded the crowd to “enjoy your journey in this life time.”
My Pokemon journey began 8 years ago when my son got off the school bus clutching 2 Pokemon cards. “It’s PokeMON mom, not PokeMAN,” he said.
This was a father/son event until Clint decided he could use more cards so I started going to pre-release tournaments. I lost every game. My son qualified for Worlds 2004 in San Diego and I attended. The hotel was decorated like a Pokemon Amusement Park. I played in the grinder and actually went 3-2. Later I battled a little boy from Japan (he won), met some folks from Croatia, Norway, Chile and Finland. A woman from Canada gave me a Canadian coin. I have been hooked since. I began going to more Pokemon events, taking a picnic basket of food and my camera. Leaning on my pre-school teaching background I began to make fun costumes. I realized I could act like a kid and still play a complicated card game.
We moved to Oregon in the summer of 2005. My son attended the Worlds tourney that year where I saw people in the crowd sporting OR-EE-GON hats. I first saw Cason there, Lindsey Murphy, Marvin-- all wearing their hats. I would meet Cason again at Oregon States as he and my son battled in the semi-finals. Cason won, wearing his OR-EE-GON hat.
I battled Cason several times once he hit the Master’s age group. He always smiled, would point out ways to improve my play, took time to chat. Cason won a city championship. I saw him at the Aloha CC in 2007. He grinned, saying he wore his medal for inspiration.
Cason traveled to my town of Corvallis for our Fall Battle Road. He wore his Pirate hat with wild hair.
By now his grin had no braces on his teeth.
My Pokemon journey has allowed me to travel to many places, meet new people. My heart soars as I cheer on someone I know. My heart pounds as I search for a way to beat my opponent. I search my brain for a creative idea on a costume. Our family car is usually packed with extra players as we head to a tournament. My family just said good-bye to 2 Japanese exchange students we had short term. My son and I are learning Japanese and Pokemon has inspired us to do so.
Cason has been part of my Pokemon lifetime journey. I’m glad I got the chance to know him a little. As you travel through life, help others along the way, have some fun, and enjoy your adventurous journey.
Thank you, Cason. We miss you.
Nanette Armstrong
2008 Cason Award
Pokemon: The Journey of a Lifetime
For Inspirational Spirit of the Game.
On Saturday, March 1, 2008 I was presented with the “Cason Award” at the Oregon State Pokemon tournament.
As I sat at a table with other Pokemon players waiting for round 1 to start, Chris (Mr. Raichu) Clanton and Richard (BDS) Walkoski stood up and said they were presenting an award from an anonymous donor in honor of Cason Terjeson. Tears sprung to my eyes as I remembered this handsome young Oregonian, age 16, who died last summer in a farm accident. Cason was a kind-hearted soul with a bright smile; an excellent Pokemon player. . .
My thoughts of Cason were interrupted when I heard my name called. With wobbling legs I walked over to meet Cason’s parents and sister. What an honor! Chris handed me the plaque and reminded the crowd to “enjoy your journey in this life time.”
My Pokemon journey began 8 years ago when my son got off the school bus clutching 2 Pokemon cards. “It’s PokeMON mom, not PokeMAN,” he said.
This was a father/son event until Clint decided he could use more cards so I started going to pre-release tournaments. I lost every game. My son qualified for Worlds 2004 in San Diego and I attended. The hotel was decorated like a Pokemon Amusement Park. I played in the grinder and actually went 3-2. Later I battled a little boy from Japan (he won), met some folks from Croatia, Norway, Chile and Finland. A woman from Canada gave me a Canadian coin. I have been hooked since. I began going to more Pokemon events, taking a picnic basket of food and my camera. Leaning on my pre-school teaching background I began to make fun costumes. I realized I could act like a kid and still play a complicated card game.
We moved to Oregon in the summer of 2005. My son attended the Worlds tourney that year where I saw people in the crowd sporting OR-EE-GON hats. I first saw Cason there, Lindsey Murphy, Marvin-- all wearing their hats. I would meet Cason again at Oregon States as he and my son battled in the semi-finals. Cason won, wearing his OR-EE-GON hat.
I battled Cason several times once he hit the Master’s age group. He always smiled, would point out ways to improve my play, took time to chat. Cason won a city championship. I saw him at the Aloha CC in 2007. He grinned, saying he wore his medal for inspiration.
Cason traveled to my town of Corvallis for our Fall Battle Road. He wore his Pirate hat with wild hair.
By now his grin had no braces on his teeth.
My Pokemon journey has allowed me to travel to many places, meet new people. My heart soars as I cheer on someone I know. My heart pounds as I search for a way to beat my opponent. I search my brain for a creative idea on a costume. Our family car is usually packed with extra players as we head to a tournament. My family just said good-bye to 2 Japanese exchange students we had short term. My son and I are learning Japanese and Pokemon has inspired us to do so.
Cason has been part of my Pokemon lifetime journey. I’m glad I got the chance to know him a little. As you travel through life, help others along the way, have some fun, and enjoy your adventurous journey.
Thank you, Cason. We miss you.
Nanette Armstrong
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