Friday, May 06, 2005
I announced the winners of the Essay Contest at this morning’s Parade. Quite a while ago, at Shari’s suggestion, I had arranged with the English Department that the whole school would write essays on the topic “What Education Means for Me.” The best 5 from each class were then sent to Shari at Yorktown High School in Arlington VA, where the school group Young African American Achievers were to judge them, selecting one winner from each class. The YAAA also raised money so they could pay the next term’s school fees for each of the winners ($35 each).
It has been a big deal. There are some other essay contests that the school puts on, but the idea of getting money for winning was unheard of. I also designed certificates that we gave to the winners – also a big item in Tanzania. Certificates are hoarded, and proudly exhibited whenever someone is job hunting.
All thirteen winners were called in front of the Parade. I made a little speech, we handed out the certificates, the Headmaster made a bigger speech, and everyone clapped. I had given my camera to another teacher who I judged to have at least some little bit of savvy to take pictures of the event. At the end, I did the thing of composing the winners for a standing group shot. Two rows, with the Headmaster on one side and me on the other. Our trusty photographer took multiple photos to be sure at least one or two would be good...
I should have known better. Our trusty photographer took 21 photos. Not exciting photos, but a few did appear to have a worthwhile composition. And Every Last Freaking Photo is Blurred Beyond Hope. Gzzzzhrtz!!!!
Lesson learned: Always ask whether a potential photographer has ever actually taken a photograph before enlisting his help.
My last class today was discouraging. It was the last period of the day, so the kids were tired and restless, and it was raining. I was trying to get them to discuss global warming and greenhouse gases, and they just weren’t having it. The bell rang while I was in the middle of an explanation, and it all just disintegrated. I was pissed off enough that I walked home in the rain instead of waiting for it to stop.
Home, I took off my wet shirt and was just standing there, grumpy, when a student showed up at the door. Antidius Henry was unhappy with his Award certificate. He has been baptized, or converted, or saved, or something, and his name is no longer Antidius Henry, it is now Alfred Kafuku. He wants the certificate to say Alfred Kafuku.
I had already finished off my booze the other night, so had to make do with a glass of wine.
It has been a big deal. There are some other essay contests that the school puts on, but the idea of getting money for winning was unheard of. I also designed certificates that we gave to the winners – also a big item in Tanzania. Certificates are hoarded, and proudly exhibited whenever someone is job hunting.
All thirteen winners were called in front of the Parade. I made a little speech, we handed out the certificates, the Headmaster made a bigger speech, and everyone clapped. I had given my camera to another teacher who I judged to have at least some little bit of savvy to take pictures of the event. At the end, I did the thing of composing the winners for a standing group shot. Two rows, with the Headmaster on one side and me on the other. Our trusty photographer took multiple photos to be sure at least one or two would be good...
I should have known better. Our trusty photographer took 21 photos. Not exciting photos, but a few did appear to have a worthwhile composition. And Every Last Freaking Photo is Blurred Beyond Hope. Gzzzzhrtz!!!!
Lesson learned: Always ask whether a potential photographer has ever actually taken a photograph before enlisting his help.
My last class today was discouraging. It was the last period of the day, so the kids were tired and restless, and it was raining. I was trying to get them to discuss global warming and greenhouse gases, and they just weren’t having it. The bell rang while I was in the middle of an explanation, and it all just disintegrated. I was pissed off enough that I walked home in the rain instead of waiting for it to stop.
Home, I took off my wet shirt and was just standing there, grumpy, when a student showed up at the door. Antidius Henry was unhappy with his Award certificate. He has been baptized, or converted, or saved, or something, and his name is no longer Antidius Henry, it is now Alfred Kafuku. He wants the certificate to say Alfred Kafuku.
I had already finished off my booze the other night, so had to make do with a glass of wine.
