TEEN MEMO

LITTLE MISS POET

The day arrived . . . just in seconds.

The school hall was bubbling with lemon and purple ribbons and balloons. It was beautifully decorated, as if it were to be a wedding.

The Creative and Crafts teacher was an event planner so the decorations were her handiwork.

The chairs were arranged cordially and neatly presented, row by row. The stage wasn't left out. It was outstandingly designed with a humongous sign post titled “QUALIBRIUM'S FIRST CREATIVE AND INNOVATION DAY” boldly written in capital letters. This was graphically designed by the computer teacher.

Professor Alicia Sebastian never failed to employ the best experienced teachers. She never looked down on them as mere teachers because she was the one who called them to work for her, they didn't come to her in search of a job.

Though an elementary school, the teachers had an annual income which most lecturers received at the end of two or three years.

It was no doubt, less overwhelming when the school was elevated and rated as the #1 best school throughout New Orleans and other nearby states.

Many parents rushed to bring their students to the school but the school had its standards. Only a maximum of one hundred students were admitted into the school every new session. Entrance examinations were always taken before entry into the school and the maximum score for entry was 70%. Anything less than that wasn't accepted.

Many people advised Alicia Sebastian to build Qualibrum High school but to her, "A good foundation springs from elementary school."

She found it easier to run an elementary school than a high school.

* * * * * * *

The podium was placed at the center of the stage so that everyone would be able to see and listen attentively to the speaker while speaking.

Mrs Tuna Cassidy was scared that Daniella might not attend the function, so she phoned Mrs Eucharia Rogers.

“We just alighted an uber. We'd be in the hall shortly." Eucharia replied after Mrs Cassidy asked her if they were going to attend.

Mrs Tuna was cheery on hearing that and then, she continued the preparation.

A number of writers, scientists and poets were coming from others states and two writers from India. They all arrived safely. Numerous parents trooped into the school hall, giving time spacing.

Promptly, the event commenced. After a few usual opening ceremony protocols, the distinguished dignitaries were urged by the Master of the Ceremony (MC for short) to sit on the high table which was made available for them, Mrs Tuna Cassidy inclusive. Before that, all the parents and guardians were acknowledged and specially welcomed.

It was an honour to have this multitude in attendance, despite the impromptu invitation!

The MC encouraged the parents and guardians to keep up with such pace and never withhold from making their children better leaders of their own generation.

Daniella was chuffed to bits on seeing her writer role model, Priyanka Khuranna all the way from India. The lady inspires her a lot from her books, quotes and novels. Daniella wanted to build a career like hers.

“Mum, the woman looking Indian in a blue skirt is the writer I was telling you I admire so much." Daniella whispered so that she wouldn't cause a ruckus in the hall because it was as quiet as a graveyard.

Only the speaker's voice was heard, except when there was a thunderous applause by the spectators because Curna Media Station was recording each and every activity.

“Wow...She's beautiful and she looks smart." Eucharia whispered too.

“I just pray that I would take a picture with her. God please, answer my prayer."

Priyanka Khuranna, is a twenty eight year old writer who has made a distinguished name for herself. She started her writing career at age seventeen, after high school. She studied Writing Education in college and she graduated with a first class, one of the best results in India. She is a friendly and jovial ever-smiling young lady with perfect set of thirty two teeth. She inspires a lot of people in India and beyond. Daniella Rogers is her #1 fan but she doesn't know. Haha!!!

No doubt, some people attended the function not because of their children but because of the ‘item seven' of the occasion; That's the refreshment part.

A good example, present at the occasion was Ms Gladys Hulk. She wasn't married, neither did she have a child but she came to the occasion because her nephews, Jared and Jacob were under her care and supervision, after their parents travelled for a business trip.

Gladys Hulk was fond of doing this same thing in every occasion she attended. In fact, she always attended occasions just for food. She could even disgrace herself just for food, making her nephews feel embarrassed.

They wanted to sit differently from where she sat but an order was given that every kid was to sit with their parent or guardian.

Gladys came to the occasion with a gigantic hand bag so that she might take at least three plastic take-aways of the food being served. She was fond of jumping from one seat to another whenever appetizers, main meals and desserts were served in an occasion but she had a restriction at this particular occasion.

She came and left only with one plate of chinese fried rice and grilled chicken. At least, she got a reasonable food.

The occasion was going well as planned. Each speaker was given ample opportunity to share what they had to the spectators. The fifty year old erudite proprietress was not left out, in fact she was the first speaker.

She started by thanking everyone for coming and said that she appreciated the love they showed her by sending their children to the right school. She spoke for over ten minutes and left the podium for the next speaker who of course, is the commissioner of education in the state. He addressed the audience peacefully with his gentle British accent.

When it got to Priyanka Khuranna's turn, she started with a warm smile and a thrilling joke. Daniella took her mother's Apple iPhone and recorded every down thing she said.

On speaking, Priyanka saw a young girl in the audience taking a video of her. She smiled at her. Daniella wasn't sure that the smile was for her but she reciprocated the smile, displaying the two lovely dimples on both sides of her cheek.

After speaking, she left the podium for the scientists to introduce their ideal science stuff. When Priyanka sat on her seat, she noticed that the young girl was staring at her intently so she winked her left coffee brown eyes.

“OMG! I'm not daydreaming. Am I?” Daniella said as she winked back and smiled.

* * * * * * *

The main event came to an end. Light refreshments were served by the non-academic staff of the school. The master of ceremony called Mrs Tuna Cassidy up to the stage. She was being called to speak a second time. In a British unified polish accent, she spoke softly;

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak a second time. Well . . . In collaboration with the honourable proprietress and Mrs Kira Pokemon, we decided that I would give a homework to a particular class on composing a poem independently. The pupils did it like every other regular homework but didn't know that the winners were to be announced here today. The time has come for the award presentation. Three pupils from grade three will be awarded here today for an independent and well inspiring poem. A few awesome parents will be awarded for their dedication towards helping the school and grooming their children for the future."

She further added that the three winners will be presented their award by the Honourable professor Alicia Sebastian and that they were to take a group picture with the proprietress and all other dignitaries in attendance.

Daniella Rogers happened to emerge as the winner. She was so speechless that tears were dropping down her eyes. As the winner, she was given the chance to speak briefly on the excitement she felt after receiving the award.

“Thank you Qualibrium Elementary School for grooming me. I have learnt a lot and I am super grateful for that. The tears you see on my face is not just yet tears, it is the feeling of happiness and excitement. This trophy that I have earned today is dedicated to my creator and my first-ever inspiration, God Almighty. I also want to say a big thank you to Mummy and Daddy. Despite what you passed through before and after my birth, you still cherish and value me. You gave me all I wanted and you taught me how to lead a happy life. To my able proprietress, I want to say a big thank you to you for bringing this honorable school into existence. Despite your past, you were still determined and now you have achieved your big dream. I call you my big mummy because you act like my granny, a wonderful woman whose love for education, knows no bounds. To all my teachers, you all have given me part of what I needed in life and my education. Thank you teachers. I want to specially acknowledge Mrs Tuna Cassidy, the best class teacher of all time. You are the masterpiece and the brain behind all of this. Thank you very much. To my fellow winners Caleb and Debbie, I want to tell you that we share this trophy and certificate together. To my classmates, this trophy is for us all. it's ours. I want each of you to see the trophy like you won it. We're all winners. Thank you."

She left the podium with the trophy and certificate in her hands. All her classmates left their seats and ran to hug her.

The thunderous and shattering applause she received from the audience was loud enough to amalgamate two states together. Eucharia just couldn't express her joy. She found herself in tears and some parents sitting near her comforted her. It was indeed tears of joy!

About seven other parents in the audience received an award from the school. Trent's, Benita's and Veronica's parents received an award for the outstanding poem they assisted their children in writing. Debbie's mother also received an award for her decent use of vocabulary words. In addition, three other parents received an award by the school for their active participation in school performance.

The first couple mentioned were Mr and Mrs Robinson. They were ready to send their children anywhere and they always participated and contributed to the development of the school.

The second couple was Mr and Mrs Rogers. Ever since Daniella was born, she started her creche and is now in grade 3 still in Qualibrium Elementary School. They also participated actively in every school activity and ensured that they contributed to the development of the school and made sure that their child was eager to learn. Eucharia took the award as a representative of Mr and Mrs Rogers since Leonard wasn't in town.

And the last couple were Mr and Mrs Copperfield, they had five children all in the school and they were of the wealthy class. They always contributed actively in the school's activities and three out of their five children were excellently doing well in school work.

It was a good thing that all parents were acknowledged even if they didn't receive an award. Fortunately, they were given ceramic plates and umbrellas for gracing the occasion.

Daniella's dream or rather, prayer came true. She took a picture with Priyanka Khuranna as well as other prolific writers and scientist. She found favour in Priyanka's eyes that she received something great from her. To her, what she got was greater than what money wouldn't buy.

What could that be?

* * * * * * *

Leonard was thrilled on seeing his daughter on stage in the Curna Media Station Tyv. Her speech was so overwhelming, her vote of thanks were like no other. He couldn't express the inner joy he felt on seeing that his daughter got an award and he also got an award together with his wife. He saw a great potential in her and just couldn't wait to return back to New Orleans.

* * * * * * *

You remember that Eucharia postponed her shopping that day because she was going to attend the school function?

Well, she did. She went to the city market over the weekend. Fortunately, there was a 50% discount on the dresses and accessories she brought. The price went down as at the previous day; ereyesterday.

She was so excited that at least she didn't go on the day she planned but on the day she postponed because had she had gone there the day she planned, she wouldn't have had enough money to save.

She bought about eight new dresses and several beautiful sneakers for Daniella to celebrate her creative excellence. She was really proud of her.

“What more can I ask of when I have all the blessings in one?" She asked herself.

Then, she began humming a song she heard in one commercial. She was in the right mood.

After Daniella won the trophy, she became the talk of the estate. Her name spread like wildfire around the estate. She became the ideal daughter everything typical mother wanted to have.