It’s the end of the year for the students here in Nica. That means I have a good two-month
break from working with my teachers on the Emprendedurismo course. I went to my favorite schools
graduation last night and couldn’t help to reminisce about my own high school
graduation as they strutted to the podium in their caps and gowns to receive
their diplomas. Unlike this
Nicaraguan highschool, which is a semi-private school for high performing
students from under privileged families. They students actually receive
scholarships from the school if they meet certain expectations. I went to Sabino, nick named “Snob-ino”
if that gives you a clue. Classmates of mine rolled up in beamers and I had a 96 Copper
Saturn SL2 that I was in love with. Last night a large chunk of seniors graduated with 90%
average grades or higher(they go by percent instead of GPA). I was beaming as one of my star
students, Kenneth, from my Entrepreneurship course gave his valedictorian
speech. I had flash backs of my
friend Jeff or “Big Red” giving his speech at my graduation. I was sitting in the front row because
I was graduating with the top 10 in my class, dorks we were, all AP students. I can remember that feeling that sinks in to your gut when you realize just how much you have invested to get to this point. I remember the lime
green dress I wore(eeeekkkk), which somehow looked good at the time. I remember the rhinestone sandals that
I recycled from prom. The Sabino
garb was a purple robe with a gold sash, which seemed so elegant then. I remember the beach balls bouncing
amongst the crowd and tortillas flying across the 450 of us seniors spread
across the football field. I
remember my boyfriend Taylor also wearing a shade of green to match me, I was
so lucky to have a first love like him.
My girlfriends, my rocks, Jamie and Erin by my side and Annie was back
from college to see me graduate.
My family had all come together for my important day, which made it really
special.
I remember them highlighting the universities that students
were attending and my name looked so cozy next to the name Texas Christian University
on the program. I had anxiety
about leaving everything behind, but also knew I had an amazing summer in front
of me before the move to Texas.
The rest of the ceremony was a blur with foghorns and screaming after
each name. At the end of the ceremony
we threw our caps in the air and “the group” united effortlessly. I had an amazing group of high school
friends and we were inseparable: Me, Jamie, Erin C., Taylor, Aly, Erin D.,
Danny, Ryan, Brett, Steve. Sooo
many amazing memories 4-wheeling, camping, prom, my house in Mexico,
Springbreaks, and everything else in between. A lot of firsts with that group who has helped to shape the
person I am today.
My heart actually just skipped a beat when I realized this
time next year my 10 year high school reunion will be creeping up. I’d love to see how everyone is doing
out there in the real world.
Then came the after-party at my house of course. I remember things blowing way out of
control. It was supposed to be a
smaller party where everyone could crash and spend the night if they
drank. I remember at one point my
brother, boyfriend and Dad having to turn people away at the front door. I thought my Dad was going to freak
when a guy friend of mine, Alex, brought an ice-looge! Dadio was actually totally cool and got
us a folding table so we could position the louge by the pool so any run off
wouldn’t stain the flagstone ha ha.
What an awesome night-My bro, his friends, my friends and family all
having a very memorable time together.
Back to Nica. I
know these kids have a very different night ahead of them after they receive
their diplomas. They are still just as rowdy and the teachers continually try to get them to be quite and stop rearranging their chairs during the ceremony. I am so proud of
how hard they have worked all year.
Only a portion of these students will study at a university, but I know
all of them will have success in their own way. I was proud to see that one of my entrepreneurial groups
took advantage of the occasion to sell their products, a broom made from
coconut leaves, but decorated in holiday ribbon. Much like my friends and I, my students united after the
ceremony in their smaller tight knit groups to take pictures. I was honored to be pulled in to
several small groups and told that It had been a pleasure to have me as their
teacher and friend. I hope that
their motivation and passion never dies.
I would really love to truly believe that my presence during their
senior has made some kind of difference in how they view themselves as
potential leaders, no matter how small.
My counterpart that I work with, Professora Silvia, is one of a
kind. I surprised her with a
certificate that I made and had the administration present to her at the
graduation for all of her hard work and dedication to the Emprendedurismo
course. She is a pleasure to work
with and is an amazing teacher who gives tough love to her students, which I
feel is very hard to find here. I
think back on my “tough love” high school teachers and they are the ones I
respected and learned the most from.
Escoba Plus- the group that made the brooms out of coco leaves
I thought about how proud their parents
must be because I know I am incredibly proud as one of their teachers. I wonder who they will grow up to be
and if they have a desie to make an impact on their country like I do. I wonder if they really even understand
they significance of my presence here in Nica. And then one of my young girl students comes up to me asnd
says, “We are truly blessed to have you here in our country helping our
people. It’s been my pleasure to
have you in my life.”
