IN THE past, Tony is a righteous man. Before entering the teaching profession in public schools, he once, had overflowing virtues. Almost at the point of entering the seminary, he decided to become a priest. But it was not his calling.
Raised in the hardworking middle class, nonetheless, has attended private schools in nearly all of his education, he has treasured the value of self-support as the perfect platform or mechanism for survival. Thus, he possessed knowledge and skills in both social and economic aspect.
Meaning, he can communicate well to any person regardless of social class, from the ordinary vendors, middle person, managers and professionals and he can also distinguish if they have the moody, happy go lucky, hypocrite or pompous personality. He knows well that by reality, life is not at all, a piece of delicious cake, baked well, chilled, scented and served easily in the silver plate.
There has to be an instance where he has to face some difficulty dealing with a particular goal and as such he must have to square off with several personalities. Luckily, he has learned the art of making any person perceive human worth or importance in the society. For in all his deeds, he came to realize that, what make a person happy were recognitions from achievements of whatever endeavor, significant or slight.
Tony also knows the different applauses – the real, derisive and the deeper once.
Back in his first year high school, Tony belongs to the science section of the university. But like all boys in that age, Peer influence and the love for adventure, however, pulled his grades downward. Thus he was demoted to a technical section. Being able to reflect well, he copes up and made it as salutatorian at the end of the school year.
In those times, grades were computed objectively, transparently and fairly. No magic tricks of whatever kind to influence the outcome of any computations, and there are no places for the cons, bogus or jokers in the honor rolls.
But things primarily altered when Tony transferred to a Catholic school. He was happier, thinking that Catholic schools irrefutably practice good virtues. Excelling in academics and some extra–curricular activities, he has done his best expecting that perhaps, at the end of the school year, he will be listed in the top five of the honor rolls.
And so the verdict came and the list was rolled down. Assuming to be number two based on the computations of his teachers as presented in his class, Tony was instead ranked at number five. He went to his adviser to protest. Tony, however, was not convinced of the explanation that Honor recognition were not only based purely in academics but ten percent of the total percentage must come from leadership and exemplary deeds as what was decided by the en banc of mentors.
Separately computed from the component subjects, the ten percent will be decided by all of the subject teachers. Although, Tony realizes the importance of leadership skills, he appealed with a prayer that leadership skills and exemplary deeds should be separated from the academics as these cannot be combined together to determine the top five honor students. There was also a possibility, that the ten percent will be abused.
As it can be seen, Tony was given lesser points in leadership although his academics are high. Those who have been given higher points are sons or daughters of influential person in business and politics. Instead of being considered, Tony was scolded for fighting out with the honor committee. Thus, Tony has decided not to accept his award, for in his heart, he felt betrayed and cheated. That ten percent left a scar and will never be forgotten. To be continued...