Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Graduation (08/30/04)
TITLE: Clip on Tie and Cheap Plastic Shoes By Robert Coskrey 08/31/04 |
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established that short of a miracle of God,
I would not graduate.
My senior year was my most memorable. It was
the year I graduated from learning disabiliity
classes to regular classes. A change I was not
ready for or looking forward to. Somehow,
arranging small colored blocks in order within
the time limit made me too smart. Or they just
needed an excuse to get rid of me.
Failing all of my classes and in danger
repeating my senior year, I needed a miracle.
Miracles don't always take the shape we think.
God didn't speak through a burning bush or a
whirlwind. Probably because God liked my solution
better. I decided to harass my teachers for help so
I could pass. Most of my teachers suffered from
attention deficit disorder. When I needed help,.
they didn't pay attention.
.
After spending my senior year becoming every
0teachers worst nightmare, I succeeded in bringing
my grades up but not enough to graduate. As a last
resort, I dealt a final blow to my teachers. I told them
since seniors get first choice of teachers, I would
choose them every year until they decided to help me.
I'm convinced that my teachers had a meeting and
decided to pass me I have many reasons
The final week of school, I already knew failure
was inevitable. I didn't study for any of my exams.
I quit doing homework. I decided to leave my teachers
alone. I just prepared to be a senior again. Even on the
day of final exams, I didn't answer many questions. Left
essay questions blank.
The night before graduation I received a phone call.
It was my grade level principal asking me why I didn't
show up for graduation practise. He told me he was
looking at my final exam grades and I passed them with
flying colors. Even better, I passed all of my classes.
My first thought was to ask him if the call was from candid
camera or a sick joke. He assured me that it wasn't and he
was serious.
The next day I did show up for practise when they decided
to tell the whole class of 1988 that I thought I had flunked.
I went out and bought last minute graduation clothes. Cheap
plastic shoes, a clip-on tie and a shirt that was too long. The
evening came and who expected the dress code police to
be there? I lucked out and was allowed to participate in my
graduation. Can you imagine after all I had been through to
be denied graduation over a clip-on tie and plastic shoes?
What could top what I had been through? Walking across the
stage against all odds and having one person shout for me.
In addition, not knowing who it was. I guess everyone else
was in shock.
I'd like to think it was a miracle of God that I graduated. I sure
don't know how else I did.