El Dia del Cariño

Katy, one of my students, gave me a hug and this valentine.

I was very touched.

It has become tradition at UVG-Altiplano that Valentine’s Day be an opportunity for students to perform songs, poems, and group dances in a public forum on campus. Four members of the faculty or staff are summoned to judge the contestants on the quality of their performance. At the end of the performances, the judges announce who ranks first and second in the performances. A representative from the group or the individual in the case of monologues then struts up to the stage to receive their diploma of excellence.

A competing class: They are actually my tourism students
who are performing a very modern dance act.

The judges making a very difficult decision

After the competition, representatives from each student grade level and faculty from departments were called up to the main floor. They were asked to participate in a dance competition. Fortunately, I was not coerced into performing this task (they must have read my “deer in the headlights” body language). Instead, my colleague Josanne from Trinidad volunteered to represent the Centro de Idiomas. Josanne was in her element because she loves to dance.

Josanne (left) dancing with one of the students

After the dance competition, the winners were given their certificates. (Josanne and her partner did not win but they were very good). Now came the time for the gift exchange. Prior to the event, people were given a name of student, faculty, or staff to buy a present for. The gift should not have cost more than 10 quetzals (though most people cheated because you cannot get much for 10 Qs , the equivalent of $1.25). The exchange first began as follows. One person at a time broadcast the name of their secret valentine over the microphone. After much confusion and delay (many people could not hear their name), it became obvious to the organizers that this process would take forever (there were over 300 students). It was then announced that everyone in the auditorium go find their secret valentine. Fortunately, Josanne told me who my secret valentine was: the rather heavy-set son of an English-speaking pharmacist in Pana; so I was able to spot him out of the crowds of students. My secret valentine came up to me, bearing a brace-laced grin and a coffee cup filled with chocolates. He is one of the beginning “basico students” whom I first taught when I got here.

My Secret Valentine

Josanne's Secret Valentine

After the exchange of secret valentine gifts, there were boxed lunches. There was supposed to be a disco afterward, but I decided that was not for me. I had had enough fun that day.