[Narrative] Fireflies...
[ Forward-dated like, two hours. ]
[ Partial, loose reference: http://farstrider.net/JET/Graduation.htm ]
Would you believe that among the memos passed around to all the faculty present this morning included lyrics for the alma mater? I understand that all the students would likely have to be reminded year after year what the song is, but faculty and staff should have it well memorized if they plan to lead the singing successfully. ...I don't count, because this was my first year, and I know there are some veterans around here. Luckily, it went fairly well. I eyed the choir director, and she didn't seem too upset about it.
But that was the ceremony. I'm helping out by cleaning up leftover plates and scraps off the tables. Most have left but there are a few still mingling about, trying to have their share of the last of the fruit before it gets taken away. Rika is still in her uniform, all ceremonially decorated, helping out as well. I tell her to go celebrate with her friends, but she wouldn't have it. There's always the party later this evening she says, and she's insisting that I come along, too (as a mock chaperone if necessary). I'm still considering it, since we are running off to the beach the following day; I do have to do a little extra packing and booking.
I pick up another neglected program off a table and pitch it into my trash bag. They were well designed, I thought. I remember checking it every five minutes just to see what was ahead, even though I pretty much had the whole ceremony memorized by the sixth or seventh read. The ceremony started well, before it started. All the faculty had their seats in a section perpendicular to the action--I suppose so we won't miss a moment of our students rising from their seats a row at a time, single-file, marching towards the steps to the stage, walking across one-by-one to receive their diplomas, and returning to their seats with rolled documents in hand. However cameras aren't appropriate for us, since we were technically part of the ceremony. I hope somebody got good footage though. Everyone just looked so nice (maybe their enthusiasm in wanting to just get out of there played a part).
The students filed in on time at 10:00 sharp to music. The first group of students went through a rehearsal drill earlier, so there weren't any problems, and everyone else behind them just followed suit. My class was maybe the fourth one to enter; I still think it's interesting how the whole student body isn't just alphabetized at this point. Everyone's still separated by class first; wouldn't there have been more unity the other way? Anyway, they all looked excellent, and I admit I had to hold back a tear or two when it was their turn to have their names called. That class in particular just had the most students I remember from fourth grade so long ago. Other names I knew from other random classes, but it was this one that carried the warmest smiles: Kinomoto, Daidouji, Mihara.. And yes, Rika, in whom I saw more nervousness than others, but she didn't trip up the steps like I said she wouldn't.
I say again, the singing always brings tears to everyone. But good ones. I gave up and let a few go, since I was singing, too, and couldn't really concenrate on maintaining my composure as much. Not that everyone around me wasn't crying either. I eyed the student crowd and, as usual, saw a few boys trying to fake it. I took notice of Masters; I can't hear him specifically but he appears to be doing a good job.
And then some final wishes from our principal at the end. Best of luck in college for those who have already been accepted, and good wishes of studying for those still trying to pass exams. He did something new and tried to tone down the seriousness at the end. It was a little unconventional, perhaps, but I thought it was remarkable, as nobody should continue crying into the reception. And most everybody got over it pretty quickly. The butter cookies were devoured first, I noticed, in-between conversations with my now-former students. I got some very wholesome goodbyes; those always mean the most to me. I'm glad I've made an impact in their lives; it's the dream of teaching.
I tell them, of course, to continue studying, and to see me sometime soon whenever they can. I figure I'll be settling at Seijou for a while teaching English, so I'm not going anywhere.
I pick up the last empty plate on the last table. Behind me at the food table, other students were taking the sandwich trays away. We're just about done here. Rika approaches me, feigning to take my trash bag but actually getting in a brief conversation.
"There. That didn't take too long, right?"
"You're right. Everyone here is really helpful, and there weren't any major messes. I think we're done with our part."
"Mm.. So have you considered? ... ...Oh if just for an hour if you have some packing to do. I'm very excited about tomorrow, but tonight is also a special occasion, too. I think you'll enjoy it."
What can I say.. Rika can be nicely persuading, as well as politely negotiable. If it won't be the whole evening, then yes I can manage.
[ Partial, loose reference: http://farstrider.net/JET/Graduation.htm ]
Would you believe that among the memos passed around to all the faculty present this morning included lyrics for the alma mater? I understand that all the students would likely have to be reminded year after year what the song is, but faculty and staff should have it well memorized if they plan to lead the singing successfully. ...I don't count, because this was my first year, and I know there are some veterans around here. Luckily, it went fairly well. I eyed the choir director, and she didn't seem too upset about it.
But that was the ceremony. I'm helping out by cleaning up leftover plates and scraps off the tables. Most have left but there are a few still mingling about, trying to have their share of the last of the fruit before it gets taken away. Rika is still in her uniform, all ceremonially decorated, helping out as well. I tell her to go celebrate with her friends, but she wouldn't have it. There's always the party later this evening she says, and she's insisting that I come along, too (as a mock chaperone if necessary). I'm still considering it, since we are running off to the beach the following day; I do have to do a little extra packing and booking.
I pick up another neglected program off a table and pitch it into my trash bag. They were well designed, I thought. I remember checking it every five minutes just to see what was ahead, even though I pretty much had the whole ceremony memorized by the sixth or seventh read. The ceremony started well, before it started. All the faculty had their seats in a section perpendicular to the action--I suppose so we won't miss a moment of our students rising from their seats a row at a time, single-file, marching towards the steps to the stage, walking across one-by-one to receive their diplomas, and returning to their seats with rolled documents in hand. However cameras aren't appropriate for us, since we were technically part of the ceremony. I hope somebody got good footage though. Everyone just looked so nice (maybe their enthusiasm in wanting to just get out of there played a part).
The students filed in on time at 10:00 sharp to music. The first group of students went through a rehearsal drill earlier, so there weren't any problems, and everyone else behind them just followed suit. My class was maybe the fourth one to enter; I still think it's interesting how the whole student body isn't just alphabetized at this point. Everyone's still separated by class first; wouldn't there have been more unity the other way? Anyway, they all looked excellent, and I admit I had to hold back a tear or two when it was their turn to have their names called. That class in particular just had the most students I remember from fourth grade so long ago. Other names I knew from other random classes, but it was this one that carried the warmest smiles: Kinomoto, Daidouji, Mihara.. And yes, Rika, in whom I saw more nervousness than others, but she didn't trip up the steps like I said she wouldn't.
I say again, the singing always brings tears to everyone. But good ones. I gave up and let a few go, since I was singing, too, and couldn't really concenrate on maintaining my composure as much. Not that everyone around me wasn't crying either. I eyed the student crowd and, as usual, saw a few boys trying to fake it. I took notice of Masters; I can't hear him specifically but he appears to be doing a good job.
And then some final wishes from our principal at the end. Best of luck in college for those who have already been accepted, and good wishes of studying for those still trying to pass exams. He did something new and tried to tone down the seriousness at the end. It was a little unconventional, perhaps, but I thought it was remarkable, as nobody should continue crying into the reception. And most everybody got over it pretty quickly. The butter cookies were devoured first, I noticed, in-between conversations with my now-former students. I got some very wholesome goodbyes; those always mean the most to me. I'm glad I've made an impact in their lives; it's the dream of teaching.
I tell them, of course, to continue studying, and to see me sometime soon whenever they can. I figure I'll be settling at Seijou for a while teaching English, so I'm not going anywhere.
I pick up the last empty plate on the last table. Behind me at the food table, other students were taking the sandwich trays away. We're just about done here. Rika approaches me, feigning to take my trash bag but actually getting in a brief conversation.
"There. That didn't take too long, right?"
"You're right. Everyone here is really helpful, and there weren't any major messes. I think we're done with our part."
"Mm.. So have you considered? ... ...Oh if just for an hour if you have some packing to do. I'm very excited about tomorrow, but tonight is also a special occasion, too. I think you'll enjoy it."
What can I say.. Rika can be nicely persuading, as well as politely negotiable. If it won't be the whole evening, then yes I can manage.