This is the final week of Peninsula Summer Bridge 2010 at Menlo School and it has been filled with activities of all sorts. On Wednesday, we had a 'Celebration of Learning' event, during which parents were invited and there was a slideshow and, most notably, a talent show. A large majority of the students participated and everyone had fun.
Even the TAs joined in on the final act that one of our girl classes put together. It was a dance to the song 'Waka Waka' by Shakira and it was the most fun I had at Peninsula Summer Bridge this year. Running around with the kids on stage and dancing brought out the energetic and happy child in me. It was impossible to not smile and laugh when the TAs get to run on the stage. There was so much positive energy that I was not even tired at the end of such a busy day full of dancing, running and practicing.
Today is Friday and it wasn't until the end of the day that I realized how much I didn't want any of this to end. I couldn't stop hugging the students in my family group goodbye. I took pictures all day and even though none of them were really that great, I was somehow able to perfectly frame the smiles in their eyes as the day came to a close. But just before everyone got on the bus, one of the boys from my family group said to me 'I won't ever forget your note.' I had signed this student's card at lunch earlier saying how really great it was getting to know him and getting to see him everyday. I had said also on the letter how much I would miss him and how much I really wished over anything else that he would remember to always have fun. When he told me at the end of the day that he wouldn't ever forget my note, it didn't hit me how really important and powerful that was. And yet, now as I sit here and finish writing this blog, it does hit me. I really made a difference. I was actually able to change something and create a positive influence. And he really made a difference. He changed me and I won't forget what he said to me.