At the end of May, one of my students asked me to be his sponsor for another ceremony that the school was having. As per usual, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was agreeing to, but I said yes anyway. A week and a half later he gave me the proper invitation for the coming Friday, June 10th.
It was late afternoon when I showed up at the high school. Energy was high as students were eagerly awaiting the chiming of the dismissal bell. At 4PM it rang and hundreds of boys fled the property, while the graduating class stayed and set up chairs in the pavilion.
The stage was decorated in a white tapestry, with red and blue accents – the school colors. A giant sound system and three-foot-tall speakers were strategically placed at the edges. A table covered in a white cloth stood in the middle, with four chairs behind it.
Parents slowly filled the seats as the students stood in their classroom formations. Teachers huddled against the wall of the administration building, discussing the upcoming event and whether or not they had been asked to be sponsors.
The event was a ceremony recognizing the graduating class of 2016 with the purpose of distributing their class pins. The students wear these pins for the remaining 6 months of the school year, which distinguish them as the high school’s seniors. In the shape of a graduation cap, the pins state the school’s name, year, and the student’s name.
The ceremony began as most do, acknowledging the important people in the audience – including the two sponsors for the actual graduation ceremony to be held in December who were sitting at the table on stage with the director and sub-director. Various people gave encouraging words and a few seniors spoke about the graduating class.
Finally, the time came to distribute the pins. Class by class, students were called to the front of the stage in alphabetical order. Individual sponsors were then asked to come forward and place the pin on the students’ uniforms. The atmosphere was bittersweet. “Lady in Red” was playing loudly on repeat. Students, sponsors and parents smiled for photos and selfies. Many of the girls embraced in giant group hugs. The boys scattered to chat and laugh.
I suddenly realized the parallel between my life and that of the high school seniors.
We’re both at the end of an era. While they had 6 more months of classes, I only had 6 weeks left with them. My two years of Peace Corps service was coming to a close, and I had the privilege of getting to know many of them throughout. I had taught some of them during my sexual education class that began my second month in Olmos. Others I had chatted with at various times during my service. And this school year, I was working with all of them weekly during tutoria.
Like them, I’m soaking in the last moments we’ll share while reflecting on memories made. I’m more deliberate about spending time with people I might go years before seeing next, or never see again. I tear up frequently thinking about what I will miss.
Also like them, I’m thinking about my future. I’m dreaming big, without boundaries. I’m wide-eyed and full of enthusiasm.
And sometimes, like my graduating students, I’m conflicted, stuck between living in the present and planning for what’s next. It is a difficult and confusing period, and that’s okay. In order to start the next chapter of our lives, we have to embrace the duality of the emotions we’re experiencing as we end this one. It’s all a part of our story.
Brittany McGee 