Graduation

Today, the schools of Higashi celebrated graduation. The 3rd grade junior high students and the 6th grade elementary students received their certificates and are done with school.

The ceremony at Higashi was really nice (I only attended one ceremony today, rather than jumping around the village). The most touching portion of the event was the 送る言葉, or the "words of send off." The 6th grade class stood and faced the entire elementary school. Grades 1 through 5 then began to name each 6th grader and recount admirable traits or things they had done during the past year that the younger students wanted to thank them for. After that, the 6th graders then reciprocated their thanks. Each group also had a song prepared and sang them well.

The junior high portion of the 送る言葉 consisted of speeches from the 1st and 2nd grade representative and from one 3rd grade representative. Their speeches were much in the same vein as the elementary pronouncements, offering thanks for support and friendship, looking forward to whatever may come in high school and beyond.

The energy of the day was really great. Out of all the schools' graduation ceremonies I could have attended this year, I'm glad they sent me to Higashi's. When I first came in the summer of 2007, the recently graduated class was the hardest class for me to teach. They never responded to questions, they seemed really disinterested in participating, and I didn't know what to do to get them motivated. I found out, over the course of a year and a half, that time was what they needed. We became closer (though some of the boys were still reluctant to do much in class) and our time outside of class is where we bonded; I even found out how to make them laugh and smile and class, too. So as today ends, and though I will miss some of their faces come April, I know they're on their way to choosing a life of their own. And I wish them the best.