I know you aren't supposed to have favorites, but today's school was definitely a favorite! Today was one of those days that reminds you why you love your job! Granted I haven't had any days that I hated my job, especially seeing that its really hard for me to hate anything... well except for coffee! :)
We arrived at our school at 6:45am and drove up to a really nice campus. We were in a little town in Arkansas but the facilities they had were amazing. After walking around a little bit we found the assistant principal. He was a very kind man. We showed us where to go, got us some students to help, and was just overall friendly. The main custodian was also super friendly. He helped us setup, carried on conversations, told us about Camfel being there in the past, just to name a few things. Today we were basically showing to the entire school district, a total of almost 3,000 people. The first show went just like any other show. The high schoolers filled in, we gave an intro and started the film. During the show the asst. principal pulled me out and started talking with me about the presentation, offering ideas for other topics, and praises about how they will always keep having Camfel come back. So far.... it was a pretty normal day.
After the first presentation, the principal and asst. principal of the high school complemented the show, and said that they were going to treat us for lunch. That in itself was a blessing! Before lunch though we still had a presentation for the middle school. The principal of the middle school was a sweet older lady. She came and talked with Dorina and I before the show started, asking us where we were from, what we majored in in college, things like that. She had a super strong southern accent... I loved it! When the show concluded she got up and shared some great words with the students encouraging them to make good decisions and remember the film (when she said the word 'film' I had to try hard to understand what she was saying because of her accent!), then she went on to explain to the students what she learned about me and Dorina! It was funny but so sweet!
We still had some time before lunch so I was able to just sit and read for a little bit. That was a nice break in the middle of the day. When lunch time came, the tech. manager came and got us. He was a younger guy who had been a huge help to us setting up and we were each able to have some conversations with him. Between him and the custodian (and principals) we were taken care of! We headed over for lunch and it was just like being in college again! I ended up trying the "Cowboy Skillet Casserole" I was nervous at first, but figured "Hey I'm in a new place, might as well try something new." It was actually good! The only bummer about lunch was that Dorina and I ended up eating by ourselves. The guy helping us had said we could sit in the cafeteria or go back to the other building and have a private lunch. I don't know why, but either due to miscommunication or whatever I ended up following them into the other building. We promise we like the people there! It just would have been awkward to walk back in a sit down with a plate of half-eaten food!
Our next presentation didn't start for another hour so again that gave us the chance to just chill and read. It was such a laid back day! The last group of students to come in was the intermediate group, which for this school district was 3-6 graders. Like I said a few posts back, I really enjoy the younger grades. I just love their excitement We probably had close to 800 students in there for the presentation. Elementary teachers are amazing!
As we were waiting for the rest of the students to come in, one of our DVD players went off of the main screen. In order to fix it I had to press stop, which made the screens all go blank. Once I did that, all the students gasped! It was crazy and so funny how much they responded to that! We hadn't even started the show yet! I was able to joke with some of the kids in the front rows that everything was okay and I made it work! One little boy in the front row started telling me different jokes. It was so cute! It was so humorous watching them during the presentation as well. I was so surprised when the majority of the room cheered when Lady Gaga's name came on the screen; we expect that from middle/high school! There is also a song clip that says "Just Dance." It was awesome being able to watch them! So many of the students were in their seats singing and dancing with this song. It was so cute and one of the best responses that I have seen yet!
Today's tear down was our quickest tear down. We had some wonderful high school guy helpers. They did what they were asked and they did a good job with it as well. It was cool because one of them initiated a conversation with me before I did with him. After we loaded up the van we started joking around about where we were headed and how there is "so much" to do in this area of Arkansas, let alone the whole state itself. They just sat there and talked, laughed, and joked with us! It was a great way to end the day. As we were leaving the tech. manager told us that if we needed anything else, or things to do, just to call the box office because they would be there all day. So nice!
We came ready to serve and give a presentation, but we were totally taken care of today. These people, this school district, they served us today. I am so grateful and overjoyed because of the interactions we had! We were shown southern hospitality! Words can't truly explain what a good day today was!
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