What seems an eternity, ends. What seems impossible, ends. And what a finish!
Over these past two weeks, my students have labored hard, but also played hard when the opportunity arose. The sense of mission is always there, but never quite manifests itself until the heat is on and the pressure builds. Over the past few days, when our presentation deadline loomed, the glow of computer screens on concentrating faces late into the evening was a common sight. The occasional raised temper was heard, as I observed this frenzied activity, requiring an 11th hour pep talk on the need for calm cooperation, and most importantly, communication as a team to see this to the end. This frenzy reminded me of the quote from The Best Marigold Hotel, where "everything will be alright in the end, and if it is not alright, it is not the end!"
And in the end, it was alright! It all came together, at our classroom/office space at Universidad de Costa Rica. Tayler, Paul, and Ann-Marie, with Aaron at the keyboard, after a nervous rehearsal period in the morning, delivered the first presentation (in English, for our clients were all native English speakers) on the Women's center, with passion, energy, confidence and efficiency. And the reaction from Barbara Nielsen Randall, the group leader and spokesperson with Pastor James Rush, was all the students needed to see and feel to know their hard work had paid off. "Pleased" does not quite describe it, but passionately thankful is the best I can do. A long conversation followed among all students on the value of this project to them, and Barbara extolled the value and importance of giving back to those in need.
Jack and Ann-Marie, with Jordan at the keyboard, delivered the second Orphanage proposal, fully in Spanish, with assistance from Sarah only during the question period. Dear Reader, this is not an easy task for students who are merely marginally fluent. We elected to do so knowing that our primary client, Jessenia Vasquez Quesada, was fluent in English, but her Board counterpart and her Administrator were not. Understandably, the presentation lacked the clarity and passionate delivery that only the native tongue can deliver, and required the normally taboo habit of reading from slides or notecards that I excuse as necessary to deliver the basic message in this case. Most importantly, I commend these students on the supreme effort to meet the client on their own language turf. Extraordinary, and well done! And if there was any uncertainty, the reaction of the client was similarly full of praise and thankfulness, wherein they indicated this was precisely what they needed as a Board, and had discussed for so long, that this initiative will be the catalyst for moving this project forward. And if an echo rounded this classroom, Jessenia also extolled the virtues of volunteering to serve others less advantaged.
I believe this process, projects and message had a profound impact on my students. The delivery complete, the common exhalation and sighs of relief were palpable, with abundant smiles at a mission accomplished, and accomplished well with professionalism and grace. And the profound discovery among the students of the value and importance of teamwork in accomplishing the goals, a microcosm of their future professional careers with a real project, a real client, and a real need, could not have been a better teaching moment!
For me as a faculty member, I can but guide, suggest, but most importantly, stand out of the way and merely observe, with pleasure and occasional amusement as the cycle of discovery is repeated again, but always with enormous pride. This result today is precisely why I teach. When asked during the discussion about my perceptions of this group of students, I replied that my role is merely to open doors along the path, but that the students must decide to proceed through those doors of their own accord - together!. And they did so, with excellence, passion, determination, hard (team) work, and fun! I am extraordinarily proud of them.
I would be remiss at this moment in not recognizing the extraordinary effort made by Tayler and Carrie, our mother/daughter team, to pull the final written proposal together, with help from John and Amy who could not be present in the end. And to the efforts of the "grind-it-out" team of estimators/planners Travis, Bobby and Peter. And last but not least, the great work of our translation student Sarah, who came through with enormous pressure in the end, and frankly made all this work possible and meaningful for our clients. You guys are great! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Of course, every good effort requires a "celebrando"! We celebrated loud and well at the Colombian soda (a small restaurant), with some speeches (including my awful attempt at Spanish, however valiant the intent), some very funny "bad karoke" and a few twirls on the dance floor. Indeed, all is well that ends well. Let's go home . . . and back to class! PuraVida!
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