A Single Girl in the Big World: Back to School Dance

During our first staff meeting at my school, I chose to be in charge of the "social activities" for the students. Well what better way to start the year off, then a Back to School Dance. So, I posed the idea to my principal and other teachers. Everyone was excited. So I made a flyer, and went to all the classes and told them about it. They seemed excited. Then, we put up the flyer on all the notices boards in the villages around the island. The week before the dance, kids were asking everyday about the dance. I was starting to get really excited. We wanted to make a little money for the school, so we made 4 cakes, bought peanuts and popcorn, and made juice. The day of the dance, all the teachers had to go to Vila to get certified. So I was a little anxious about everyone returning in time. Also, the DJ was coming from Vila. The dance was supposed to start at 5 pm. The teachers started arriving around 4:30. I almost had a little panic attack, but controlled myself and reminded myself it is "island time." The dance did not start till 7:00, but it was a hit. Students came and the Mamas and Papas came to watch. It felt like the whole island was there. It was amazing.

We started the night off with prayer and reasons why social activities are important for children's growth. Then, I started the night with the Cha Cha Slide. I could only get like 10 girls to come up. This was huge for me, because I have no problem making a fool of myself in front of children, but then I realized that all the Mamas and Papas were there. It made me really nervous. But I had to put my fears aside because I had to show these students to be confident in who they are. They are looking to me to show them this. I preach it all the time in class. To not be afraid to speak up, to not be afraid to be different, to not be afraid to make mistakes, but when I sit down and reflect about myself, I am afraid of all of the those things. I do not put myself out there because I am afraid of what people will think or say. As I am getting ready to do the dance with everyone watching ME, I wanted to run and hide. But I had to get up there and do it because I wanted the kids to feel comfortable doing it. So I did! And you know what, it was awesome! Only 10 students started at first. After the Cha Cha Slide, the students had put together dance routines, that they had practiced to show everyone. So each group went. They were so cute! One group did a line dance to a country song. They all got up there and were really nervous, but once the music started it seemed like everything went away. After the groups went, I did the Cupid Shuffle. This is how I know this dancing thing works because almost all the students came up and danced. So we went from 10 girls to almost the every student that was there dancing. Afterwards, we played two songs for free dancing, which all the students were dancing too. Finally, the best part was the DJ played two separate songs for the different villages, so just those villages came up and danced including the Mamas. It was amazing to see everyone enjoying themselves. We ended the evening with a big thanks and a prayer. After we paid the DJ and Kava, we raised a little more than 4,000 vt. Next time we will make MORE cakes!

It was a wonderful evening. It would not have happened without a few people. First, my two counterparts, Ms. Daniel and Mr. Norman who are so supportive of me and help me every chance they get. My community counterpart Mr. David and his brother Mr. James. David is so awesome and is always on board with my ideas. His brother was the DJ and he was great! Plus he wasn't that expensive. The project manager for the school, Leirisu was the MC for the night. She did an amazing job!

Then, my Auntie Leitau and my sister Emma, who ran the food table. They did not know they were going to help out but they did it anyways. They were a life saver. Plus all the teachers at my school, who are just very supportive and always willing to help. I am so thankful for this community that I get to be a part of.

We already have kids and people in the village asking when the next one will happen. So I am thinking this may be a monthly or bi-monthly thing.

More importantly, I am hoping that the kids are growing from these experiences as I am. That we are perfect the way He made us. Whenever, I question myself on being here, I feel God answers back with something that I am learning about myself.