A BITTER SWEET DAY

What a day it was today. I took my learners to a public speaking competition where we were competing against other schools in the area. It was town elimination rounds. We went there with three speakers; one grade three, one grade four and one grade seven.

Our school was among the first to arrive. As a result there were only a few educators present at the start time of the competition. I was unexpectedly asked to be the program director of the proceedings. I couldn't say no. It was an opportunity to score marks with the officials so I grabbed it with both hands.

I was not prepared for the role so I really had no idea of what I was going to say during intervals of non speaking by the competitors. I am a teacher so I had to quickly find my feet and make sure everyone was entertained and informed at all times. Needless to say I excelled in that role and I enjoyed it very much. Everything went well.

We managed to attain two position ones and a position three. The first position is this little bags of smiles right here

Here's the second position one winner with the adjudicators
The girl who got position three was crushed because only position one and two could move on the district level; after district it's provincials and after provincials it is nationals. Her getting position three meant she couldn't advance to the next level. It broke my heart to witness her reaction. She couldn't even take pictures with the adjudicators and her fellow learners. She just wanted to leave. She's the one the left.

In the car me and my colleague tried to console her and told her how well she did and she shouldn't be so upset because she gave her all and that is all that truly matters.

The student who attained position one is a former learner of mine. I trained her in public speaking and competed in many competitions so I knew my current learner was in trouble when I saw her. She was very excited to see me. She ran to me and gave me one of the warmest hugs I've had in a while.
Here she is after being announced as the winner in her category

I taught her well...maybe a little too well seeing that she's now shooting down my current learners. But that's part of life. I'm proud of her and wish her well for the district level. She won't disappoint me.