Leon looking sly

Brandon, Rueben, Bryan, Sami (my students)

Welcome Party

Madoleniehmw High School (that's where I am working) had it's "Welcome Party" last Friday. It was quite interesting to say the least, and hopefully I can get ahold of some of the video that was taken to bring/send home to give a more full picture (or video as it were) of what it was really like, but some pictures and description will have to suffice for now.

The day started late, I slept in a whole extra 15 minutes but somehow didn't feel rushed in getting to school. Maybe the fact that we were only supposed to have first and second period and the rest of the day devoted to the party motivated my reasoning in that. In any case, I made it to school to find a simple note posted on the office door that actually we were only going to do homeroom and then just go ahead and party the day away. A relief really, because trying to actually teach for only two periods would have been a cruel joke (at best). I sat around with the teachers in the staff room for a bit and then headed down to my classroom to unlock my door. My Junior classes (I have all the juniors throughout the day) were going to use my room to prepare for their bit of enertainment for the day. More on that in a few...

A few students trickled in to sit and hangout for a bit and we started the day off with me showing off a few juggling moves (of which I don't have many) with the three rubber baseballs I have in my classroom. They seemed impressed by the under the leg juggle and we just spent some time hanging out. Eventually a student brought in their stereo (from where did this appear I'm not sure) and started to play some music. As I am next door to a number of elementary classrooms, I ended up turning down the stereo a number of times, but who can blame high schoolers for wanting to listen to loud music?.
Eventually I herded the students in my room into the cafateria where the party would shortly commence. There were already most of the students there, so I waited outside while the rest went in. Eventually the MC (one of the teachers) called in the "World Teach people". Matt was absent at the moment, so I went in and was placed in the front of the group along with the vice principal and another teacher. I had been informed earlier that guests typically "open the dance floor" so I was slightly nervous at the whole thing. Some short welcomes commenced, including a welcome to the World Teach people and freshmen (still no Matt, I was a bit worried). Matt found his way into the cafateria soon enough though, and after a couple more welcomes and horray's for the school year, the entertainment started.
Groups of students from each class as well as the different sections of the municipality where we reside (Madoleniehmw) started doing some routines, singing mostly which was nice but also short skits. Eventually it was the Juniors turn.
A couple weeks ago, my students were thinking they would do some kind of skit, which eventually morphed into a "fashion show" featuring couples from different parts of the world (Hawaii, the mainland, Mexico, and Pohnpei). In great style, the boys played the part of the women (complete with wigs, dresses, and makeup, and other props) and the girls played the part of the men. It was a big hit and although could have been a bit more rehearsed, it went off well and everyone got a real kick out of the whole ordeal.

The Best Dressed

The dancing part of the party had started with different classes dancing at different times and the first person to come pick me up to dance was a senior boy who has a great personality. This of course got screams and laughter from everyone (the whole school) in the room as I shook it nasty with him. When the Juniors were doing their cross-dressing skit, one of my students playing the part of a super trendy Mexican woman of course picked me to do a little dance with him. A few other people (including some of Matt's sophomores) came and picked out me (and Matt) to join them on the dance floor to some pretty catchy Pohnpeian Pop music. All in all it was a great time. After the entertainment, we ate lunch (rice, fish, chicken, hot dog, cake, ice cream) and then proceded to dance for the next couple hours. All in all the day was really good, I had a good time and got a number of compliments on my dancing (which honestly I don't think is anything special).

Obviously this can't really capture the event in its entirety and I hope to get the video, if only to look back and laugh after a few months. I am looking forward to the Christmas party (which will be more of the same) and practicing my dance moves and will help my Juniors to prepare something to top their funny performance at the Welcome Party.

Me Dancing with my students