I Missed the Memo: Suit Required for Awards Ceremony at School

Last Wednesday, as soon as I reached school, I was surprised to find students and teachers in their "Sunday best" clothes for the awards ceremony at the Palace of Culture. I was embarrassed because I was in jeans, a nice shirt, and my favorite blue flats. Lena, my counterpart, told me I was fine and I hoped to hide once we sat down.

Before the awards ceremony began, I took some photos of my students. Here's some of my 6th graders.

And 5th grade girls: Yanna, Valeriya, and Aloyna

Here's Vadim, one of my most eager 5th grade students. He is constantly trying to teach me Ukrainian and soak up as much English as he can. He's also one of the fastest runners - which I despise when he is not on my soccer team.

A group of teachers in the Palace of Culture (Larisa, the teacher with black hair, asked that I take this photo). I work most closely with the English teachers on the right: Lena (blond hair), Tania (red hair), and Larisa.

Some more of my 5th grade students! Love this group of kids! (from left to right): Kolya, Sasha, Timur, and Denis in front and Diana and Ania in the back.

Vlad and Artom - 5th grade students. Hmmm...are you sensing a theme? I am especially close with my 5th grade students because we spend the most time together (almost every day I either have a lesson with them or we play outside together).

Let the ceremony begin!

The three girls are my students (Diana, Nastia, and Dasha). Shortly after the introduction, the girls danced beautifully.

Dima is one of my 11th grade students. Currently in Ukraine, 11th grade is the last year of secondary school. So, Dima is in the process of applying to several universities. I'm excited to find out where my 11th graders will end up going to school!

Roma and Max (my 9th grade students) are accepting awards from our director.

Ania, an 11th grade student, is accepting an award for her accomplishments in the Law Olympiads - she took 1st place at the national competition!

And Nastia, the student I helped prepare for the national English competition, accepting her award. She took 1st place at the regional and oblast competitions, but did not place at the national level. I'm hopeful for next year...

Then, my camera's battery went dead! But, I was shocked to be among the eight teachers who received recognition for my help with preparing students for the olympiads. I was not prepared to go on stage, and shrunk from my embarrassment for wearing jeans! Oh well, next time I'll know better...

Here are the flowers that students brought to me while on stage:

And my award, which you should have no problem reading and understanding, right? :)

I can't believe this is the last week of school! We will have our "Last Bell" this Friday, which is another concert for the students at the Palace of Culture (we have so many of these "concerts" that I have been desensitized to the need to be dressed up nicely for them...I will work on this to avoid future embarrassments!).

Other news in my world: I was shocked to find a volleyball league! Well, I'm not too sure it's considered a "league" by American standards, but a group of men that meet twice per week and play (with skills!) changes my life! My forearms have been bruising because I am out of practice - Love It! Now, I definitely look forward to my volleyball days!

Take care,

Nat