“Good morning, honored guests, parents, teachers, and students,” Mr. Adriano, the principal of Montgomery Middle School announced. “Welcome to our assembly program. Our wonderful science teacher, Ms. Costa, was awarded a grant. Two outstanding students, Holly Christiano and Jasmine Jankowski, worked many weeks to prepare for today’s presentation. Please give them your undivided attention.”
As the house lights in the auditorium dimmed, the audience clapped and cheered. A large screen slowly dropped, the background music rose in crescendo, and the audience quieted as the title The Ocean’s Way appeared on the screen.
The photographs we took in Florida had been made into a slide show, accompanied by music to match the mood of each scene. Jasmine and I did the voice-overs. We made sure to add emotion to our voices, so we could communicate what we felt with each experience. To be honest, Jasmine made me do most of the talking, but I was so excited about our trip, I didn’t mind at all.
Everyone was surprised that the quality of our multimedia presentation was so professional. My mom and Jasmine’s dad had worked hard with Ms. Costa to help us add all the elements. Mom’s experience as a graphic designer came in handy. She added really cool visual elements, like what you see in the movies. At Mr. Jankowski’s film school classes, he had learned how to add camera angles, lighting, and sound effects. I was amazed at how great it turned out. Hey, listen to me. I sound like a movie critic.
My mom and Ms. Costa sat in the front row next to Jasmine’s mom and dad—isn’t that great news? Grandma Rosie and the baby came, too. Jasmine and I also sat there, but we were called on stage after the lights came back on.
I know we did a good job of getting across how the balance of nature can be thrown off by pretty simple things, especially when we talked about the pilot whale rescue. People had tears in their eyes. So did we. The slide show brought back so many memories.
When the presentation was over, the man from the mayor’s office awarded Ms. Costa, Jasmine, and me plaques in appreciation of our contributions to the world of science. “I am so impressed with this presentation, The Ocean’s Way, that I invite you to bring this presentation to other New York City schools as a model of excellence in education. I’m happy to report to the mayor that this grant was used wisely and the positive effects are far reaching. On behalf of His Honor, the mayor, let me be the first to make a monetary contribution for your efforts to raise money to preserve marine life.”
The audience cheered.
Mr. Adriano joined the speaker on the stage. “I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Mrs. Christiano and Mr. Jankowski for their outstanding contributions to this presentation.”
After my mom and Jasmine’s dad took their bows, Mr. Adriano continued. “A bar has been set that lays a foundation for others to follow. Holly and Jasmine, you have shown us the thread by which things are connected. You brought attention to our school, and to the world around us, in a positive way.”
Jasmine and I were holding tight on to each other’s hands.
Ms. Costa was asked to speak. She had a lot of nice things to say about us and about our trip.
After the applause stopped, Mr. Adriano spoke again. “Two of our students were led by our very own science teacher to reach a level of intellectual involvement that has come as a surprise to all of us.”
This is when my mom embarrassed me in front of the whole school.
She raised her hand to be recognized to speak. “Well, Mr. Adriano, this didn’t come as any surprise to me.”
I groaned on stage, as the audience laughed.
I heard Carly calling out from the back of the auditorium, “This is enough to make you want to puke. Ooooh, my little darling daughter, she’s just so cute and smart.”
I heard Nestor yelling at Carly, “You’re just jealous because you didn’t win the contest. You had to stay home and shovel snow, while Holly and Jasmine had the time of their lives.”
“Why don’t you just shut your mouth?” Carly said.
“You shut up,” Nestor answered.
“Yeah, Carly, put lid on it. No one wants to hear your mouth, bigger than Grand Canyon.” I couldn’t believe it was Kwan Min saying that.
I whispered to Jasmine, “Where do you think Kwan Min learned that expression?”
“From Nestor, where else?”
When I thought about what Nestor could have taught him, it didn’t sound so bad. I had to smile.
Mr. Adriano called from the stage, “Teachers, please get this group under control.”
As things in the back of the auditorium quieted down, Mr. Adriano spoke to my mom. “You’re right. I stand corrected.” Then he turned his attention to the audience as a whole. “Now, I invite Holly Christiano to close the presentation.”
I walked to the front of the stage. I smiled and waved at everyone.
The kids were clapping and chanting, “Holly! Holly! Holly!”
I heard Nestor yell, “Way to go, Holly!”
I loved the applause. “My mother always tells me I have a poet’s soul. Maybe it’s true, because I find it easier to speak in stanzas rather than in paragraphs.” I touched my silver dolphin pendant.
“What is the ocean’s way?”