So many different experiences make our school days fun and worthy of remembrance while other memories just make us grateful that we left school early. For my first post in this community, I'd be sharing an experience that I would never forget in a haste.
My highschool was a very religious one and as such, their main aim was to imbibe the word of God in every single student. At some point, the repetition got really tedious and somewhat boring. There was this very big auditorium where we did most of our religious activities like bible classes, song practice and the likes. After chapel service came announcements and whenever a student was called out during announcement by the principal, they either did something very good or something bad; it was mostly something bad and so all students dreaded the sentence "May the following students please come out".
On a random day during chapel service, I came a bit late and the only seats available were at the back. The thing with sitting at the back was that the teachers would be right behind you. No incessant chit chatting, no jokes, just seriousness. This particular day, the two vice principals we had were sitting right behind me. I couldn't even breathe or cough in peace for fear of being apprehended.
Chapel service drew to an end then we saw our principal cat walk to the podium with white papers. There was a pin drop silence in the hall as white papers always signified expulsion. She spoke fluently as usual:
"Today, I'm going to give both good news and bad news," she said with a smile.
"May the following students please come out" she continued.
"Jesuuuus" echoed everywhere. Fear of the unknown.
The names she called were those of junior students and so I didn't bother till I heard two of my classmates' names followed by my name. My heart stopped beating properly hypothetically. I went numb. I was trying to connect the dots. Did I do anything bad? I was one very self righteous student and so I couldn't think of anything I did wrong.
I was brought back from my dilemma when the vice principal behind me –who happened to know my name– dragged my ears so hard and said:
"When they call you, move quickly"
Hehe, I was literally staggering. I could hear the whispers from everywhere. Everyone, including myself, was wondering what "we" did. I got to the stage and the principal told me to stand by the right with my classmates while the other students stood by the left.
She stated the crimes of the students on the left and then she looked me in the eyes and called my name. My lips were trembling as I answered her. Lots of thoughts were still running through my mind. Is this how it was going to end?
"Congratulations, you're the new dining prefect" were the words she said to me. I literally couldn't believe it. The whole hall cheered and clapped but I was still recovering from the shock. I didn't expect it. Why? A little back jist.
To get a post as a prefect, one had to go for an interview, facing the board of school authorities. I was eligible to be a prefect but my school guardian–my further mathematics teacher– told me that he cancelled my name from the list. Why? He said that being a prefect was awkwardly stressful and all he wanted me to always be the mathematics guru and nothing else. I couldn't do anything at this point because the name was cancelled already and I didn't want to create a fuss.
My mates were interviewed and a week later, they were all appointed prefects. The next school session, some prefects were dropped and replacements were needed. Normally, the eligible replacements would still go for an interview but this time was different. From what I heard, there was a little voting session in the various hostels; except my hostel of course, and everyone came to an agreement. I was chosen and didn't even know.
I was all smiles as I walked back to my seat. Congratulations was the only thing I heard followed by the "more meat and food for us" teases. It was really an honour. Definitely one of my highschool experiences that I wouldn't forget in a hurry. Starting from the build-up of emotions, the tension, the confusion and finally the honour.
This is my entry into the on going #prompt-incidence which can be found here. Do well to join in the fun.
All images used belong to me and were taken with my mobile device except stated otherwise.
With love, wongi ✨
