A Word About Ceremonies

I don't know about you, but I was very disappointed that there was no VIVI award ceremony this year. I was looking forward to all of the festivities.

Thank God for Richard who invited all of the people who voted for The Glass Box to come over to my apartment for our own VIVI celebration. It was totally unexpected, but oh, so worth the moonlight! (see Nov 10 entry)

Speaking of ceremonies... On Friday, I presented the kids with Student Recognition Awards. The students had no idea that I would be doing that. I love how big their eyes got when they saw all of the awards that they received. I had one student who received six!

Then, I gave them the "news." I will be taking all of the students who are passing and have no behavior referrals to see the Nutcracker Ballet. The children whose names I called were very surprised and they are very excited to be going on this field trip. The children who were not named were disappointed, but they realized that it was their fault for not livingup to their student responsibilities.

Then, I called in a couple of teachers. I recognized the teacher who provided the most student recommendations into my program, and I recognized the drama teacher who helped us with the Anti-Drug Skit. The kids applauded for them and I presented both of them with a cup from our company. The teachers were surprised that they were recognized and the applause from the children made it feel even more priceless.

It was a very simple ceremony and we celebrated with punch, cookies and peanuts, but the ceremony made a big impact.

Before our celebration was over, I noticed that one of the teachers brought in the kids that are not in the program to show them what they have missed.

  So, even though there was no VIVI award ceremony, I would like to take this time to congratulate all the journals that received VIVI awards, all the journals who were nominated, all the people who nominated the nominees, all the people who voted, and all the people who participated in putting the VIVI awards together.

  My journal was nominated in 2004 and it was nominated again in 2006. Wow! I hope that everybody gets to experience the thrill of being nominated. It doesn't matter that The Glass Box didn't win at either nomination. It is amazing just to know that you have recognized my journal and brought new readers into my realm.

 Thank you, Everyone! You are amazing!!! Thank you for writing. Thank you for sharing your most intimate thoughts. Thank you for sharing your lives with me! I love my J-Land friends!

 Winivere