Campus Connect Weekly Contest Week2 to The Big Competition - On the Importance Of Teamwork. As Presented By @stitches11

Jolly good morning, Steemians..
I'm pleased to participate in this insightful competition, that bought back some nice nostalgia, which I still relish, many thanks to @whitestallion for the great work.

INTRODUCTION

How much I craved to come up with a fairy tale, but my head ain't ready for any of that. Therefore, I settled for a true life event,untold until now. So much time had passed, but it still feels like yesterday, because I treasure those memories.

STORYLINE

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In the summer of 2010, I took a job at a local elementary school, south east Nigeria. I was the class teacher of standard 6(six) pupils. I grew up loving education, interaction and teaching. It was my first exploit in the classroom as a teacher, the pupils must have wondered how tough and mean their new class teacher could be. It was just a matter of time they all came to the appropriate my friendly depositions.

However, the schools annual graduation ceremony that was much heralded as a festival and a party time for the pupils was fast approaching. All the pupils yearned for it with some vigor and ecstacy.

On a Sunny afternoon the school principal sent for me, lo and behold he handed me over some files and told me to help organize the upcoming graduation ceremony, I was gobsmacked, but I couldn't refuse.

There and then the uphill tasks began, as I carefully perused the past events program by my predecessor, I marveled at how huge and eventful the graduation has always been. It didn't take long for me to decipher some lacuna,in several years a set of pupils has featured prominently in the annual graduation program.
Spontaneously, I said to my self, 'there must be a paradigm shift',because I assume that there is no growth nor fair play for the other pupils, whom obviously has been relegated to the background for long and are perceived as never do well's.

I am a quick study and naturally I have a busy head, so it took me little time to fathom another set of pupils to groom for the main event. Starting on time was going to do the magic. So I called over the new set of pupils I chose and announced to them, that they are the new kids in the block, as they are going to lead in the Drama, Quiz and Debate competitions etc. Guess what, they became apprehensive and revolted, referring to those who has always led the pack, I chuckled within me and shushed them all.
Then I tried to sync them up and encourage them. I asked them if they think those other pupils are better off than them, it was a rhetoric, yet they answered in one accord 'No' . Then I told them they can do it,only if they put effort and are willing to work harder.

Nevertheless, in few hours there was an uproar in the school premises, questions asked in hindsight why I should change the regular routine of events and those participating in the graduation program. I indulged everyone to work with me to change the narrative. I said to myself 'woe betide me if I should fail',because they will roast me alive.
After a while relative calm set in the school, though pockets of malice and rancor still prevailed amongst the pupils whom were replaced. I found it all interesting because I know it will spur this new set of pupils to do extra things.

In no time, parents and guardians of this new set of pupils began to beseech me, expressing doubt in the ability of the wards to deliver on tasks assigned.

TEAMWORK

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At this juncture, I made efforts to produce manuscripts on individual task and hand them out to various parents and guardians whose wards has a role to play in the upcoming graduation ceremony. I urged them to please aid them at home as much as they can, to my surprise they accepted it with joy, I took their mobile contacts to stay in touch pending any difficulties or developments. Similarly, after school hours some of them stayed back for more practice and rehearsals.
Overtime, I took most of them by surprise and asked some key questions expecting answers by heart, they didn't disappoint. I was buzzing with zest that they will all deliver.
The expectations were quit high and I was keen to get the best out of them, so all hands were on deck.

SOMETHING HAPPENED

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Here comes a development that will necessitate my absence from the event and its beyond me. Our annual regional convention coincided with the graduation date,it was a bittersweet situation for me😢. When I informed them of my absence on the graduation day they were shell-shocked. I encouraged them to stay strong and focused.

Consequently, a day leading to the graduation ceremony, I made arrangements, so that the pupils could come to the venue of the graduation on time, so I could see them before I depart.
Early morning the next day I made a brief stop at the venue and it was a good morning as all of them were right on time. We rehearsed a few things, I encouraged them to be at there best, as I promised to stay in touch. They all embraced me with emotion driven warmth. They all echoed they will miss me and urged me to come back on time.
It was high time I left, I told them I will call them on video. Wow! That was magical, as it helped to calm their nerves. They said they were looking forward to it.

MY PEP TALK

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Some 30 minutes before the event began, I phoned my assistant @Irexman who was now in charge of the event program's in my absence,and ask him to assemble the pupils so I can speak to them on video.
They all had this moody face as the video was switched on. After some interchange of greetings, I cracked some familiar jokes with them, they came alive with a laugh and we played around a little bit,which took their minds off any pressure whatsoever.
I asked them what was going through their minds, they all took turns to express themselves, to my delight. I urge them not be unnecessarily tensed or afraid, I told them to make everyone happy with their presentations, they promised me they will. We prayed together, they were obviously ecstatic. I saved the best for last. Finally I popped a question, who wants my gifts? They all shouted Master 'I'. I told them each of them will have a gift from me if they impressed, they all agreed. Then I pleaded with my assistant @Irexman to help me make a private video of each person's presentation and also take pictures of them after the event,to which he obliged to. Then we all said our goodbye with beaming smiles and joy.

Nevertheless, the convention program I attended was to dismiss by 4 P. M local time. I had already orchestrated plans to rush off at end, so i also attend the graduation party,in part. Meanwhile, I chanced at glamorous @Solar-star at the convention during the intermission.

When i arrived the party was about to be closed, so I sat quietly behind the scene conspicuous from the crowd.
After the program had closed proper, I emerged from my hiding, to the amazement of many, especially the pupils who ran to hugged me with some quickness. They exclaimed, 'Master we did well', I replied, I knew you will. As they all won various prizes for their bold presentations, to the surprise of many doubting Thomases.

Not too long thereafter, I became the envy of the event, as many parents and guardians came bearing gifts for me. I was startled by the kindness and benevolence.

CONCLUSION
Never under estimate the power of teamwork, because it is powerful to achieving great things, I did my part, the pupils did theirs and their parents and guardians did their and result was amazing.