Maddie and the Golden Hawk

[cdevan]

Madeline or Maddie, my seven year old granddaughter came down from Ankeny, Iowa to visit her Grandpa in Kirksville, MO. That weekend we were going to Memphis, MO for their annual Car Show. This year Madeline wanted to clean the car and win the trophy. I told her it was hard work preparing the car to be judged. She didn’t car, she wanted to clean the car. As the announcement of the awards came close, she was nervous and wondered if she should make a speech when accepting the award. I told her just to say, “Thank you, “and added that not everyone will get a trophy out of the 80 cars shown. She couldn’t believe it when her name was called. She told us that this was a “Mind changing experience, and that she wanted to do this every year.” The trophy never left her side and is now hanging on the wall in her room. I think I created a little monster.

[5brown1]

Congratulations, I hope to do the same to my grandsons.

[brngarage]

Way to go Maddie!!

[StudebakerGene]

Beautiful car and story....get em started early

[cdevan]

It is great fun with the little kids. Her first time was at age 5, and she would walk around the Hawk with me. I am surprised how much enjoyment she gets from it.

[jclary]

...I think I created a little monster.

AND A LOVELY LITTLE MONSTER SHE IS!

Nice Hawk too!

[345 DeSoto]

I hope you leave it to her...

[70Avanti2]

I still have my trophies from the 70's hanging on the wall

[daytonadave]

Long live Studebakers

[StudeNewby]

Fantastic story, Curt, and memories to last both of you a lifetime!

[Pat Dilling]

That's awesome!! Congratulations to Maddie, well done!

[tsenecal]

Great story! I turned my grandkids into Studebaker addicts last summer. We were out for a drive in Helena MT, and several people snapped pictures, honked and waved. The kids felt like celebritys, and now they really like the car. We also got them kids shirts, from the museum in South Bend, and they love to wear them, and answer questions about "Gramps" car.

[Metman]

That's awesome, Curt! Those are special times spent with grandchildren and the memories you are creating. Hoping to get my grandson more interested, and eventually his younger sisters.

[candbstudebakers]

More kids like that can save the future of Studebaker and the club. perfect day for all.

[1953champcoupe]

Good. Story, I have grandkids that are somewhat interested but unfortunately not quite that much

On another note, was that 56 Dodge sitting next to you a D500 model? If so that would be a rare Dodge. Mopars are about as rare as Studebakers at a car show