Nek

nek vi. To be finished

The end of the school year is prime time for musical performances, days off, and picnics at Madolenihmw High School.  Of course, I was roped into joining the many festivities but I did do my best to end the academic part of the school year strong.  I was fortunate enough to have my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers come and give presentations on different countries to my world cultures classes, which they thoroughly enjoyed.  My mini dance lectures continued in my Algebra class – I hope that my students will think fondly of their crazy math teacher!

I will miss my fellow MHS teachers!

For the first annual Music and Drama Performance Day, in which the juniors performed songs, dances, and skits for the entire student body, I was asked to serve as one of three panelists and rank the acts based on various criteria.  I’m no Simon Cowell but I did have a great time listening to my students sing renditions of “Lean on Me” and “Madia Kowe”. 

The judges of Micronesian Idol

 On May 1, the municipality of Madolenihmw celebrated its constitution day with a day off and races between the elementary school and high school students.  Everybody got really into it, whether it be anxious mothers waiting for their kids to cross the finish line or “vendors” selling such desired items as freshly baked cake, ramen-koolaid, and iced tea.

My youngest host sister with Wapar Elementary School

“Picnics” in Pohnpei are occasions to get on a boat and motor on over to an isolated island.  Activities such as swimming and dancing in the ocean, feeling the sand between your toes, and barbequing chicken and hotdogs are all engaged in with much enthusiasm.  I was able to go to Joy Island with MHS’s Section V students to celebrate another successful school year.

Check out that storm cloud behind me – heavy rains didn’t deter us from having fun!

With the 2011-2012 school year coming to a close I feel slightly melancholy because I will miss seeing my students’ bright and shining faces (haha) every day.  I have seen real change in their academic work, their social circles, and their attitudes towards me.  I call it a success when my more reserved students can smile at my antics both inside and outside of the classroom.

Evidence

On a personal level, I’ve been able to see multiple sides of my host family, appreciate the luxuries of spending the weekend in town (a.k.a. delicious food, naked showers, hanging out with cool people), and lose sleep due to various books and TV shows keeping me up at night.  I have also been working on how I will contribute to this summer’s many activities – you M78’s can’t come soon enough.  :)  In honor of Mother’s Day, I’ll leave you with this picture – Mom, your constant, loving support always reminds me of how blessed I am to have an awesome family!