In 1965, I was in my third year of high school at Liceo José Silverio González, with a group of 14 friends, who considered ourselves as a family, because of the number of years we had been studying together since elementary school until now. In the free time we had, we went to the courts of this school to practice volleyball, with a ball that was not adequate, because our school did not yet have equipment to practice, nor the advice of a sports teacher. This school had only been founded a few years ago. In addition, there was a shortage of teachers in this area, so it had not yet been assigned. It was in March of this year when they appointed a teacher named John Zulliban, who came for a cultural exchange between Venezuela and the United States. In addition to his language, he was fluent in Spanish.
The next day John welcomed us into the classroom and explained:
"Along with me I have brought a donation of equipment suitable for practicing this sport."
By then he already had a volleyball in his hands.
Then we went to the court with Professor John. There he gave us a master class and explained how many players the team should consist of. Their positions: a setter, an outside back, a middle and an opposite. In how many sets the match was won when there was competition and the points by which each set was won.
The coach paused, took a drink of water and said:
"Are you okay with me assigning you the positions to cover on the court when it comes time to practice and compete?". He took a deep breath and commented.
"Raise your hand if you wish to participate." I immediately raised my hand, to ask for the floor very excited I said:
"My name is Ramona Salmerón. I am in disagreement" I said:
"I propose that in this court and according to our abilities, Professor Zulliban designate the position we should occupy".
Juan, very excited, asked:
"Do you agree with the proposal of this Bachelor?".
All the students present answered:
"¡S¡!"
The Professor very enthusiastic said:
"Let's go to practice and we will take this proposal into account".
He observed the practice and according to the skills of each one of us, he assigned us the place we should occupy on the court at the time of a game of this sport. Maritza Marin another teammate raised her hand and asked:
"Do you all agree with the position that the teacher has assigned us when it comes time to compete?" everyone responded in one voice:
"Yes!".
Maritza responds:
"We will call our team the forwards" no one objected, through the silence, they agreed.
Then Professor Zulliban added:
"There being nothing more to discuss, the session is adjourned, good afternoon".
Several months passed with our team, we went to several inter-institute games. Before starting those Volleyball games, we met internally to emphasize the established agreements. When we competed, we were champions.
At the end of each month, we met with the trainer. He addressed me and Maritza saying:
"I will change you for another position in the team".
This determination of this gentleman made us very angry and we responded as a duo:
"We do not agree with this decision he has made, so we quit the team!". We immediately left the facilities.
The following month they went to play with the volleyball team "The Advancers" against other high schools and lost.
That same month Coach John Zulliban called Maritza and me, very saddened, his face had a pale tone like the pallor of the Neon butterfly's wings, his hands were trembling and with his voice cracking he said, "I agree with your attitude" he took a deep breath and then continued:
"It was a big mistake I made, I apologize and I beg you to agree to return to the team in your same attacking positions We replied in duo:
" We agree with this decision you just made".
From that moment on, any match we were going to play with another team from another high school, we won it with the category of gold medal.
That was our participation in this team, until we finished high school. We were undefeated in all the competitions we participated, winning the gold medal in the first category. Then the team dispersed because each of us studied in different universities.
This is a non-fiction story
I hope you like it
the drawings are mine
use deepl translator
