We just finished senior week at the high school where I teach. Phew. One more day of finals with the underclassman, a teacher day and summer break is here. The pile on my desk looks insurmountable, but I'll get through it. I always do.
The senior week is a great time to reflect on traditions. And like posted by a classmate, it is a unique perspective when you were also once a student where you now work as a teacher.
One thing this week caused me some distress. Traditionally, most scholarships are announced at graduation, with some specific exceptions that are done at the school assembly. The assembly awarded ones are primarily some legacy scholarships from some long ago coaches or athletes--especially of the football variety. (We used to have a fabulous football legacy). Then there were a couple of ROTC awards and ones in the name of some former staff members or community leaders. Anyway, there was a new scholarship this year in my grandmother's name. She has taught in the district for over 30 years, at the high school and then through the Adult Ed program after retirement. I realize this may be a bit personal so I may be less objective, but I really wanted to have this done at the assembly, with me preferably giving it out. This did not happen. A scholarship in the name of a girl who died soon after graduation last year was presented, A scholarship in the name of a teacher who had worked in the district for 2 years and died was given out. One other was given out for a primary level teacher that had worked in the district for a few years and had recently passed away. There is absolutely no way I could imagine having to justify which of these are more "pertinent" for the schoolwide assembly.
One tradition that caused me some eustress was Senior Class Night last evening, The students are treated to a dance and then an overnight "project sunrise" event. I can't stay up all night and play, but I did "crash" the dance. (Okay, its not crashing when all teachers are invited, but very few ever go). The best thing is to go and pull out some of less socially adept kids on the dance floor. By the end of the evening the jocks are dancing with the emo's and dancing with the band and chorus kids and dancing with my SpEd kids. Every year I go, it is so awesome to see. I always wonder why this couldn't happen going into high school rather than leaving it--but maybe this is part of the magic. The other great part is that a fabulous-funk-adelic 70's cover band played live, I was able to bring out my hidden away inner Travolta one more time.
This is a wonderful time to reflect on traditions I agree. Your story of the dance and the sunrise event, remind me of my own senior class "project graduation" which is held the afternoon/evening/early morning after graduation. I was shocked how many classmates that I had barely spoken to told me that they wished that they had gotten to know me, that they had thought that I was snobby, but too late realized that I was just shy, etc. It was a very bittersweet happenings. But, the good thing is that if you come back and live in the same town, you still see many of the same people (this is good and bad)!
ReplyDeleteWow, this never happened at my school. About 550 students graduated in my class. And that was in 1997, now we have close to 2800 students in the school. We have to have graduation at a large event center every year to accomodate all the family members. Your posts are the first time I have heard a 'project.' It a great idea. I agree with you that it would be an honor to give out a scholarship in the name of your grandma who gave most to her working life devoted to your school. She sounds like an awesome role model especially as it seems that you are following in her footsteps.
ReplyDeleteI just love the week before graduation! It is such a bittersweet moment -- you hate to see the kids go, but it certainly is there time to move on in life.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that they didn't give out the scholarship! Was it ever awarded or will it ever be awarded? You should definitely get the opportunity to present it! What does the award honor -- is it for a specific type student, like one that has demonstrated vast improvement in the area of science, for example? Would love to know more about this, as it must be so special and important to you!
Thanks for the comments! The scholarship is for someone planning on pursuing a degree in education. It was actually split among 3 very deserving seniors, but they just know the memorial name and the amount--seems trivialized to me.
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