[Amanda Morrison]

Although there were tons of people this year in Atlanta that introduced themselves (I was amazed at the sheer volume of Snickers that were passed out), there's one story that sticks out in my FIRST career.

At the 2004 IRI, I was helping out with the Talent Show. I had asked a crew of wise guys, plus the very sweet Kyle Hughes, to serve as judges... but I got an email back saying that Kyle had to decline, because they weren't attending.

I tried to think of another person whom I could get to serve on my panel, someone who would be a crowd favorite. As I was standing there trying to figure it out, I saw Ken Patton, and knew I had found my judge. I had never spoken to him before, just knew him through WFA and 65 fame, and I was pretty intimidated. I came up and said, 'Hi, Mr. Patton?' to which he said, 'Hey Amanda, what's up?'

Holy knocked off my feet, Batman. Ken Patton knew who I was, and knew my name! (He also jumped up and down, giddy when I told him he could be a judge!) That was probably one of the coolest WOW! moments of mine in FIRST.