Grade nine

[vaneramos]

This afternoon I attended closing ceremonies at Marian's school. The girl cleaned up. Seriously. For starters, she won two trophies. One was for highest academic achievement in grade nine to eleven (she just finished grade nine). The other was the comprehensive arts award for grade nine to eleven, which came with a plaque for her to keep. In addition she received an award (a copy of Homer's Iliad) for best math student in grade nine to eleven, and a gold pin for over-80 average. She and two other girls were presented with a plaque for winning the school science fair. There must have been a sixth award, but I can't remember what.

Better than all that is seeing her well-liked, and enjoying the company of her peers. The principal stopped me to say Marian is remarkably kind, with no inclination to disdain other students. She has been encouraging Marian to strive for a top scholarship. Other parents and teachers also spoke to me about Marian's personal qualities, as well as her scholastic achievements. The father of the graduating head girl said Marian has a lot of strength. Teachers and classmates obviously admire the girl behind the spikes, the piercings, the bleached and blue hair.

You might remember the photo I took last year: Marian smiling in the foreground while four of her friends hugged and wept behind her. She was emotionally affected, but the feelings never broke the surface.

This year was different. She broke into tears several times when saying goodbye to her friends, some parting for the summer, others graduating and leaving forever. This was the thing that pleased me most: seeing her freer and more comfortable in expressing her feelings. I believe her art teacher especially has encouraged that.

It was her choice to move away from home, and look how she has made it work. As her principal pointed out, Marian made the decision for herself to do well. No one else made it for her. No one can.