Independence Day

In our previous 2 years in Cofradia, even the thought of Independence Day in Honduras has been enough for us to spend more time in Australia or United States but this year it turned out differently.   The dreadful marching and worst still the drumming practice that had gone on for weeks before the event in Cofradia were all cancelled due to the political coup, the risk of demonstrations and the threat of HINI or Swine Flu.

We were asked to be at school on Monday the 14th of September, the day before Independence Day at 7 am.   We were happy with this because we were to finish at 10am and we had the rest of the week off.   Hardly a soul was at school by 8am and I only had 5 girls and 1 boy out of my 16 students.  We hung around in usual form waiting for something to happen.  

Glenn hanging around under the shade of a tree.

Shortly after 8, action started to happen.   The Pepsi Company arrived with a large tent for shade.  It was already in the 30's in the middle of the courtyard where everyone was going to sit.

The secondary students.

Various students put on presentations about Independence Day, several small students gave heart-rending speeches, the Honduran national anthem was sung and the secondary students put on a short play about independence.  

Miss Independencia

Miss Independencia was announced with much pomp and circumstance while she  paraded in a beautiful long dress and sash in front of the school.  This is something I can't get used to in Honduras as this sort of cattle parade went out so long ago in Australia and certainly isn't an important part of any event.

Miss Calix and the Grade 1 teacher.

The high achievers in each grade on the Honour Roll were presented with their blue and white handsewn badges in each grade.    Each badge was carefully pinned onto the shirts of the children by their class teacher with the help of the director, Miss Calix and various teacher assistants.

Photo Opportunity!

Proud parents captured the badge presentations of their little darlings in Grade 1.

My best students!

Diego was my only successful boy student to get an award.   He came to school with his mother and was totally bored without any of his friends to cheer him along.  All the girls are delightful students but the boys are sometimes a handful.   Nothing very serious though.

                                 Diego looking bored but very handsome!    
                                

A prep student.

The prep boys are the only students to wear these shorts with braces.  I think they look gorgeous, all sweet and innocent in the uniform.    It's a pity they have to grow up!

Here is someone's little brother enjoying the entertainment.

Once the presentations were over, Glenn and I were free to go.  The rest of the staff had to go to another staff meeting to have more discussions about where they were going for their staff luncheon on Thursday.   We were out the door as quickly as possible, to catch a bus to La Ceiba.   We were off to the island paradise of Roatan for 4 lovely days of holiday.