**Warning, this post is a little old, but I feel the need to post about our Kindergarten graduation this year in response to the terrible events in Connecticut this week. I dedicate this post to the fallen and their families and cast it as a reminder to treasure our children for they are our future and we owe it to them to keep them safe. To the kids around the globe struggling to go to school- keep going, learning and growing, and keep making us proud. Hopefully, we will turn these events around and make you proud too. This is a call to action, adults, in the name of our kids so that they may graduate not only Kindergarten but high school, college, and go on to make this world a better place.
Here in El Salvador the school year ends in the middle of
November culminating in the graduation ceremonies for kindergarten and ninth
grade (as well as high school in the main towns). This was my first year being
a part of the graduation ceremonies in Upire since last year I was in San
Vicente going through my second round of training.
Graduation resembles a lot of the formal events here in El
Salvador. A lot of people show up really dressed up in their Sunday best, there
is a long, pretty boring program, and a big lunch to follow (for the important
people, like me J). I had the pleasure of sitting at the “Mesa de
Honor” or special people table for ninth grade and kindergarten graduation, so
it did make it somewhat more special for me than the usual events.
The kindergarten graduation took place first on November 13th
and I was asked to be the “Madrina,” which is basically just someone who is an
“honorable” guest at the ceremony, sits at the honor table and hands out the
diplomas, and typically buys each graduate a small gift. So instead of my usual
Peace Corps wear, I put on my Sunday best (an amazing dress I had made by a
seamstress (my host aunt)), straightened my hair, and sat at the special table.
During the ceremony I gave a small speech about learning to read and write, then
they presented the other Madrina and myself with a diploma of honor, we handed
out diplomas as the kids graduated, and at the end I gave each kid a small gift
(t-shirt). It was a small, entertaining ceremony, especially because the little
ones are just so darling in over the top cute outfits and they also performed a
few songs that were just too precious to describe adequately. Afterwards, I had
lunch with the other special guests, the kids had cake provided by the other
Madrina, and we were all home relaxing by 1:30 p.m.
Here is the ceremony in pictures:
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| Handing out Diplomas |
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| Can you really expect them to spell Albrecht right? ;) |
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| Dancing Ninos!!! |
The following Monday was the ninth grade graduation
ceremony, which was huge (more people at one event than I have ever seen in
Upire, except for maybe the day the market opened) and a little bit longer (but
not as long as I anticipated). For this event I was not anything special with a
title, but I still had the pleasure of sitting at the honor table. I still had
to put on a formal dress (another one made by my host aunt), straighten my
hair, and put on make up (such a rarity J). But, I was Don
Brian’s beautiful ;) escort. Brian was actually the “Nominada” of the ceremony,
which is basically the honored guest who gives a longer speech and usually (but
not required) gives each of the kids a gift. Brian gave a short, but sweet and
funny speech and bought each of the kids a wonderful gift (a monogrammed towel
and a picture frame with pictures of each kid).
The ceremony was simple. The school director spoke to the
graduates, their professor, Brian gave his speech, a student gave a “thank you
speech” on behalf of her class, and then the ninth graders performed a song as
a way of saying goodbye. Afterwards, we had another big lunch with all of the
guests of honor.
More pictures:
That wraps the end of the school year. I’ll admit I am ready
for the tranquility of December. Everything is about to shut down and go into
vacation mode, including myself ( I might actually already be there). Although,
I am spending my birthday and this Christmas in my site in Upire, I am going to
Nicaragua right after the holidays. I am definitely a little bit sad about
missing Christmas at home with my family and friends (actually really sad, I
LOVE XMAS TIME), but I know deep down I need to give Upire one Christmas.
