How to lose out on being School Captain

At the beginning of the school term

‘Why don’t you stand for School Captain?’ I asked.

‘Nah’, she dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. ‘Too much work.’

‘How about House Captain then?’ I suggested.

‘Still too much work. My me time is precious’, she smirked.

Towards the end of the school term

‘Mom, what do think about me contesting in the school elections?’

*Surprised but trying not to show it* ‘I think it’s a superb idea. How come you decided to?’ I prodded gently.

‘Oh, everyone in my group is giving it a shot. It’ll be fun together.’ 

‘Super. Are you giving in your nomination for House Captain?’

‘School Captain’, she grinned.

‘Really?

I got worried. High school wars can be traumatic.

‘You do know you will be competing against the current Student of the Year winner, right? Why don’t you try for House Captain instead?’

I tried to ease the blow. 

‘Look at you trying to be all protective and all, huh’, she chided.  ‘It’s Ok, Mom. If I am going to lose, I might as well fight for the highest post against the best, no? And who knows I might just become the Vice Captain in that case.’

Even as I was wondering when did my little girl grow up, she managed to awe me further.

In fact, I will let the Student of the Year know that I am contesting and check if it’s ok with her. Seems only fair’, she added shrugging her shoulders.

True to her word, she did. I’d never felt more proud. How wrong was I only time would tell.

The following weekend her nomination was accepted, and she made it to the first list of contestants to be interviewed. Her interview went horribly, according to her, and she thought this was the end of the road. I kept telling her to savour the experience irrespective of the outcome. She did not want to bow out without a chance at a fight. Well, contrary to her fears, she made it to the final list of nominations for School Captain. However, none of her friends did, but I have to hand it to those girls who were all gung-ho about her making it. Well, she came home elated and with a list of to do for the campaign. We had our work cut out for us.

She is a big fan of black and white. Everything in her room is a testimony to that. So, it was evident we were going with shades of grey to colour our world. We decided that we’d work close to who she was and what she liked. So, we started out with all the A-listers she followed and got them to give us their testimonials. They were very obliging. 😀

student council election poster

Now that we had the who’s who backing us, we had our posters and placards sorted big time. Our campaign met with approval from students all over. Tiara decided her speech would be impromptu and straight from the heart because she was no politician.

Student council election poster

Oh, but the politics surrounding a school election was something we had not accounted for. Information was reluctantly shared while strategies had been in place from earlier grades. Why one girl apparently asked her bestie from another school to get a girl contesting for school captain to step down only because it was her lifelong dream to be school captain. Another vying for the School Captain post decided to settle for House Captain as it would be a sure shot win. There wasn’t anyone else contesting or so it seemed till the school changed a few rules and added competition in every sphere. Games were being played; groups were being made, and deals and barters were taking place. Oblivious to all this, we were preparing for another battle altogether – our UK & Schengen Visa. And as luck would have it we had our document submissions for the Schengen visa on the day the daughter had to go campaigning. A huge shout out to her girlfriends who went around asking for students to vote for her.

Well, as all good stories come to an end, so did this one. The elections happened. Judging by the positive reactions she was getting we braced ourselves for the Vice Captain position. Maybe Captain too, who knows? In our head, we were realistic. Unfortunately, she lost. As predicted the school captain was the student of the year. And the post of the Vice Captain was unceremoniously dumped by the school without any explanations. Did it break her heart? Did she cry? Of course. Did you think she was from Krypton?

I picked her up from school. Hugged her and said I was very proud of her and that we should celebrate none the less.

‘Mom, I know you are trying to cheer me up. Give me some time; I’ll be okay. I don’t want to talk about it now.’

I understood she needed her space. It was heartbreaking, but the only way was through it. I let her be. Luckily for us, our visas had come through, and we were flying out in less than 48 hours.

We went on our annual vacation and had a ball. I was dreading the new school season. The day arrived even as I hoped against hope. She went to school. All was well. And then it happened. The teacher asked her to co-host the investiture ceremony (the swearing-in of the new student council.) I was aghast when she told me.

‘You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.’ I said solemnly.

‘No Mom, I want to. I am good at this.’ 

‘Are you sure?’ I asked apprehensively.

‘Yes Mom, it’s not like it’s the end of the world. I am sure I will get other opportunities to showcase my talent. Losing does not mean you are a loser. It just means you are supposed to do better things in your life’, she rattled off.

Remember when I said I’d never felt more proud. Well, this moment just topped that by a huge margin.

PS: True to her word, she hosted the ceremony with a smile on her face, and congratulated the new school captain for a good innings. I have written this post after seeking her permission. Every day we share instances of how bright and beautiful our kids are which is great. We proudly share their achievements, but we never talk about their failures. Perhaps, if we do, it will give some child, somehwere, courage that this too shall pass. And that all battles can be fought irrespective of their outcome. And even if it looks impossible, you will rise above that loss. Nothing is permanent. And for all those times here is a little something I learned in school.



Prayer of a Sportsman

Dear Lord, in the battle that goes on through life
I ask but a field that is fair,
A chance that is equal with all in the strife,
A courage to strive and to dare;

And if I should win, let it be by the code
With my faith and my honor held high;
And if I should lose, let me stand by the road,
And cheer as the winners go by.

And Lord, may my shouts be ungrudging and clear,
A tribute that comes from the heart,
And let me not cherish a snarl or a sneer
Or play any sniveling part;

Let me say, "There they ride, on whom laurel's bestowed
Since they played the game better than I."
Let me stand with a smile by the side of the road,
And cheer as the winners go by.

So grant me to conquer, if conquer I can,
By proving my worth in the fray,
But teach me to lose like a regular man,
And not like a craven, I pray;

Let me take off my hat to the warriors who strode
To victory splendid and high,
Yea, teach me to stand by the side of the road
And cheer as the winners go by.

-Berton Braley




 

Comments

comments

Comments

8 responses to “How to lose out on being School Captain”

  1. Found In Folsom avatar

    awww…hugs to your girl. How mature kids become and surprise us! So happy for you, Vinitha for the girl she’s becoming to be 🙂 Tell her that she has already won in her life. I didn’t know school elections are this big deal. Actually here in the US also, there are some elections in the school and I heard it’s a lot of effort to participate in them. And all the very best for her in everything she wants to do.

    1. blogwatig avatar

      Honestly, she surprises me all the time. Well, everything these days is a big deal. Have you seen the birthday celebrations? Anyway, I am glad she came through it all. These little instances will shape her for tomorrow.

      1. Found In Folsom avatar

        Nope. I haven’t seen…the last I remember was her teen Bday Party with the NY backdrop and all..I think there was one more after that, no?

        1. blogwatig avatar

          I meant birthday parties these days are all about spending money at expensive dos. Hardly anyone wants to call their friends over.

  2. Jaibala Rao avatar

    Tiara, I just want to say to you that you teach me so many important lessons in life. Part of the credit goes to your mom too, for letting you grow to be your own person and celebrating who you are. And yes I might be your biggest fan for life and you always have my vote 🙂

    BG, I agree with you, we need to showcase our kids losses too. That is what will make them stronger, and like you say make it okay to lose for them and for others too. I honestly hope and wish that I can be the parent that S needs in life, and he grows up to be a decent person.

    Those creatives are such winners. And thank you for that prayer, I am saving it not just for S, for me too.

    1. blogwatig avatar

      Thanks Jai. Yes, the losses and failures, if we speak about them we will lessen the pressure on them. What may seem inconsequential to us might really be a big thing for them.

      When I asked her permission to write this, she took her time to answer. And then the next day said I could if it would help someone. She makes me so proud, I tell you.

      Yes, the creatives were the silver lining in this whole thing.

  3. Ruch avatar

    This brought a lump to my throat Tiara ki mummy.
    Such a valuable lesson and one that was learnt with such grace, such poise. Incredible for a child her age. Huge warm hugs to her.
    I guess you have a teeny weeny something to do with the way Tiara is being brought up so hats off to you too 😛
    I wish a lot of kids read this. They must learn that failures are nothing but mere stepping stones and each one makes us that much stronger.
    And I love love love the posters !

  4. Shailaja Vishwanath avatar

    I am super proud of you and your daughter. How to fight till the very end and give it your best and yet not be fazed by failure. THIS is what we need to teach them and they need to learn. Bravo and those posters are amazing!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: