YOUNG VOICE
3rd place: Who cares?
I looked at the certificate again. 3rd place. How did it happen? Our team could have deep fried the bacon.
Expecting is not really my hobby, but for the recently concluded SNAP Quiz Bowl I really expected our team to win. We could have poached the trophies if we were confident enough with our answers.
A total of 7 point-runaway all because we changed our initial answers.
Good, if we really did not know the answers. What else can we do? I was frustrated, as we soon realized we could have had a 3-point lead if we only followed our instinct. However, it’s easier said than done, especially outside of the actual stomach-churning scenario.
These are what ran through my mind moments after a missed attempt of hogging the throne of the Nursing’s Brightest. Regrets, rationalizations and what ifs provided temporary relief to what could have been a fatal self-blame.
But I do not want to linger in my disappointment and so I battled every tear jerk with the widest grin, every poor soul of giving up and shame with the vibrant spirit of optimism. I know blaming my previous actions will only limit my will to move forward, to move on and leave everything as a memory. Blaming will keep me trapped. Enough with the rationalizations. It happened. We lost.
The next hours revealed those that bore more weight than the medals given, certificates presented and honor claimed. The next hours after the quiz bee unfolded new discoveries and there is a whole lot more than there is in winning.
I saw my family taking a seat near the front row, more enthusiastic than a football cheerleader on a homecoming championship. I might have failed their expectations of me winning. But, I realized the very act of attending my quiz bowl meant they care.
My heart would have melted if it were made with butter after seeing a dozen of clinical instructors entering the quiz bowl venue fresh from a faculty meeting. They extracted precious time and effort to be with me and my teammates even if time was not on our side. I know at some point they are also disappointed that we failed to ascertain ourselves of their teachings in the classroom and the clinical area. But being able to shake hands with them and hearing their words of encouragement,
“Okay lang na, you still make us proud.”
Seeing my school mates and batchmates (Class 2011) waving their pink balloons to show their support was the cherry on top of the sweetest experience. Our victory was also theirs. Our mediocrity they did not mind, but only pulled us up and reassured our worth.
They made the failed effort a truly worthwhile experience, reminding us that, yeah, it wasn’t really a failed effort after all. They were my Lord Jesus’ instruments. He really kept his promise for the best outcome of the Quiz Bowl.
Thank you SNAP-ICC and RGO for the outstanding opportunity.
Thank You very much my dear Nanay and Tatay, brother Rak, Mamang and Papang, Lola, Titas, Tito, cousins, and even my 4 at-times annoying half-breed terriers for not giving up on my potentials.
I am forever grateful to you Sir Guillergan, Ma’am Bachoco, Ma’am Castor, Ma’am Lazaraga and all the dynamic mentors of WVSU CON.
A million hugs to each and every one of my batchmates, Class 2011. Don’t worry we’ll have our time. We’ll top the board in 2011 for sure.
3rd place?
Who cares? I have them.
They made me and my team more than champions.
(Reactions to reylangarcia@gmail.com)
