Well I finally achieved a first place winner!    The funny thing is I took this photo quickly just to capture my son Winston's first day of kindergarten.  Winston had the perfect genuine smile and the outcome was a priceless photo for the family photo album!  Here's the notification that I received:

Hi Ralph,
Congratulations! You have won First Place in the Monthly Theme category of this month's BetterPhoto photo contest! Way to go! With over 6800 entries competing, it is a great honor to be selected among the winners.  To see your winning image - My Boys First Day of Kindergarten! - and the other excellent winning photos, visit: http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/1309.asp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/31/2013 Photographer Ralph McBride IV of Wetumpka, AL, has won First Place for September in the prestigious photography contest sponsored by BetterPhoto.com, the site's founder, Jim Miotke, announced Thursday.

More than 6800 entries were submitted to the online photography contest, which attracted contestants from around the world and featured 10 separate categories.

McBride IV's stunning image, "My Boys First Day of Kindergarten!", garnered top honors after being submitted in the Monthly Theme category.

All of the winning images can be viewed at BetterPhoto.com's contest page: http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/1309.asp

The contest is conducted each month. Categories include Nature and Landscapes, Animals, People, Elements of Design, Digital Darkroom, Travel and Place, Flowers, Details and Macro, Catch-All, and Monthly Theme. Judging is performed by a panel of professional photographers.