The night of the Senior Awards Banquet, Mom is pleased to see me wearing a white shirt and tie with dress pants. Amanda sneers at me, arguing that I look as if I’m going to a funeral, but sweet little María insists I’m the handsomest brother in the universe. I give her a giant hug, refusing to let anything ruin my excitement, not even Dad’s lame excuse that he can’t go because he has to drive his compadre to San Martín. His damn loss, I mumble to myself, wondering if he’ll even bother to attend my graduation ceremony. Guess I should have learned not to expect anything from him.
By the time we get to the Performing Arts Theater, where the Senior Awards Banquet is being held, it’s filled with students and their families. Glancing toward the stage, I make out Mr. Miller talking with another teacher. It’s the first time I’ve seen him dressed in a suit jacket. I’m astounded when I notice Ms. Martínez seated among the counselors and teachers. I had no idea she was going to attend the banquet.
When Jean signals me from the mid-section where she’s sitting with her mom, we quickly head in that direction. After I introduce Mom and my sisters to Mrs. Ornelas, Jean and I move to the empty row directly behind them.
“Can you believe it?” Jean complains. “Me wearing a clingy blouse and black pants?”
“You look nice,” I compliment her, as Tyrone and his parents come walking through the aisle. I politely greet Mr. and Mrs. Cameron who take the empty seats next to Mom and Mrs. Ornelas.
As Tyrone joins us, I tease him about wearing a tie. Grinning, he replies, “What? You think you’re the only one who can get an award?” He then explains that he’s receiving a Service award for his work at the Teen Center. “And don’t faint, but Rina is getting the Foreign Language Award.”
“Now that is a miracle!” I exclaim and Jean suddenly grips my arm.
“Look, there’s Marsea,” she says, pointing toward the front of the room. Just then, Rina appears in the aisle, only Tyrone and I can’t help but stare her down, since we’ve never once seen her in a dress.
“I know,” Rina brags, as her Mom joins the other parents, “You don’t have to tell me. I look sexy as hell.” Then with her usual bluntness, she tells Jean, “Híjole, I wouldn’t have recognized you.”
Jean promptly orders Rina to lower her voice so that we can hear Mr. Grinde’s opening remarks. Giving a warm welcome to the audience, Mr. Grinde introduces the principal, Mr. Marshall, who gives a brief summary of why Roosevelt is ranked as one of the top high schools on the Central Coast. Mr. Marshall praises Roosevelt’s outstanding students and their achievements. After that, Mr. Marshall invites a retired colonel, who is wearing a U.S. Marine uniform covered with medals, to the podium to announce the military awards. When Jean whispers her disapproval of the military, I have to agree. It seems like every day we hear of another soldier who has died in the Middle East.
The academic awards are the first category of awards to be announced. Candy Hilton receives a thundering applause when she receives the Valedictorian Award. Next come a long list of Honors and Scholarship awards. I’m really happy when Chad Burns is given the Computer Science Award. Everyone’s always calling him a geek because he’s always on his laptop, but I know they’re only jealous because he’s so tech savvy.
When they announce the Student Council Awards, we applaud loudly for Marsea, who glides confidently on stage for her certificate. If anyone merits an award tonight, it’s Marsea for all her work in Student Government. She’s always been at the forefront of issues on our campus. Amid whistles and cheers, Marsea gives an eloquent speech, thanking the teachers as well as the entire student body.
The next category of awards is in Foreign Languages. Once the awards for French and German have been handed out, Mr. Villamil approaches the podium to announce the award for Spanish. A tense look on her face, Rina heads for the stage as soon as she hears her name. Returning to her seat moments later, she holds up her certificate, saying, “Too bad Mosco’s not here to see this.”
I can feel pin pricks on the back of my neck when Mr. Miller finally approaches the podium. “This year’s Leadership awards go to two very special students, Tommy Montoya and Jean Ornelas, for their efforts in organizing Roosevelt’s first Gay Straight Alliance Club. At this time, I’d like to introduce Dr. Sandra Martínez, who will present these awards.”
Approaching the podium, Ms. Martínez states, “I’m very honored to have been invited to present Roosevelt High School’s Leadership awards. The first award goes to Jean Ornelas, who served as Vice President of GSA.”
There are loud cheers and clapping as Jean goes onstage for her award. Waiting for the applause to end, Ms. Martínez continues, “And the second Leadership Award is for Tommy Montoya, who served as President of GSA.”
My heart thumping, I make my way to the stage, high-fiving Jean as she returns to her seat. As Ms. Martínez hands me my award, she whispers, “I’m very proud of you, Tommy.” Whispering thank you, I proudly hold my award above my head. Then I hurry back to my seat where I’m met with more congratulations from Jean, Tyrone and Rina. Mom is crying as she turns around to congratulate me.
When it’s Tyrone’s turn to go on stage for his award, I overhear Mr. Cameron proudly boast to his wife, “That’s my boy!” In that instant, I’m flooded with thoughts of envy, wishing my own dad could’ve been here, but I quickly push the sadness away. Mom’s here and that’s all that matters.
As soon as the Sports awards have been handed out, Mr. Grinde closes the evening by thanking all of the parents and their students for their achievements. As people begin to exit the theater, Mr. Miller and Ms. Martínez come by to congratulate our parents. I barely have a chance to introduce Mom to Mr. Miller when Rina interrupts, “Sorry, Tommy. We have to go now. Maya, Rudy, and Ankiza are waiting for us at Tomol Beach.”
Apologizing quickly, I turn to Mom, handing her my certificate. “This Award is for you, Mom. You’re the one who always taught me to stand tall and be proud.”
Mom’s crying again as I hurry after Rina and my friends.