Oct 19
2008How Do You Earn a Trophy or Award? Easy - B the Best.
Filed Under (Awards) by Dane Masters on 19-10-2008
Tagged Under : Awards
I worked, during my years as an associate professor of English, in the community college’s learning center. There, we did tutoring in all disciplines, held auxiliary and other classes, performed computer-assisted instruction, and catered to students of general and specific income groups, ethnic origins, and abilities and disabilities. The latter three demographics were often part of a government-funded program that allowed us to serve, support, and give stipends and scholarships to financially and mentally/emotionally challenged learners as well as gifted students of low incomes. This meant we got to have contests, trophies and awards ceremonies, and thoughtful, seasonal events and celebrations.
Since we were as keen as the government in promoting student success, we took to the program in a big way. the prize-giving ceremonies were only a culmination of all the hard work put in. Students, tutors, sponsors–all were rewarded for hard work, for bringing people together, for progressing in academics, and so on. Catalogues of awards and trophies would be ordered by me and two of my co-workers. Along with friends, we would pore over these books as if they were really great classics! Yes, the budget was limited, but that did not prevent us from choosing unusual trophies along with the more pragmatic awards.
If we already knew the recipients-for, say, a retirement ceremony-we got to personalize the trophies and awards so that each fit the individual’s preferences, likes, personality, and decorating style. For instance, for a sober and quiet facilitator, who had a very sleek work-style and who LIKED the plain gold and wood plaque, we ordered a recognition award that was etched with words which spoke to our colleague’s dedication and industriousness.
After 9-1-1, and during the crunch time that many community college and other school districts suffered through, a number of our co-workers took the offer to retire earlylike the golden handshake, this offer ensured uncontested unemployment, a stipend for every year of service, and an opportunity to not only escape work but allow those who needed to stay to keep their jobs. My co-workers and I-in charge of the retirement parties and trophies and awards, the speeches, the itineraries, the foods, etc.-got a brilliant idea for which trophies and awards we would order. Because the learning center Trio program had been dubbed STAARS (for student academic achievement and retention services), we found, after much searching, these great Academy Award-like piecesa “gold” figure holding up a giant star. You get the implications, the metaphors, and the possibilities, right? And not only were these trophies and awards much more unique and greatly appreciated, they sure beat the old stand-by of a timepiece of sorts-a clock or a watch or what have you
