At the end of the year, the seniors attack.
My economics teacher was explaining something about micro-financing when a series of bangs erupted from the door. The drumming of fists rumbled through the room like thunder.
The door swung open, and a cacophony of cheers and hollers rang out as two seniors marched in and clapped their hands, “VAMOS VAMOS VAMOS!!!” (“LET’S GO LET’S GO LET’S GO”). All my classmates jumped up and immediately started ripping off their shoes and jackets. My friend and I made eye contact from across the room, and she nodded. This is it. La Guerra del Agua (“The Water Fight”).
Then we RAN. My entire class SPRINTED to the field like there was an army of bears on our heels (keep in mind, I had the barest inkling of what was happening), and at the gate entrance, there stood a senior with a hose. In other words, I was dripping within seconds of making it to the grass.
It was a full-fledged combat. Hoses, buckets, and water balloons—all were LAUNCHED at us, and we had no ammo of our own (NOT FAIRRR).
Look at all these drenched ppl (both the juniors & seniors).
Then this one demon spawn appeared out of nowhere and darted around chucking handfuls of flour at us. You can imagine how we looked—flour and water don't get along. Little shit.
Note: in past years, they used fish and oil and whatever unimaginable things they could find. Thank GOSH that has changed.
This was INTENSE. The enemy had no mercy on me even though I’m the gringga—which was actually really nice of them—so I was soaked and floured within minutes, even though I was attempting to stay near the edges of the chaos.
The final straw was having a bucket of muddy water dumped over my head.
Yeah, no. Those stupid twerps were NOT getting away with that. Not a chance!
IT WAS ON.
I left my sopping uniform pants (I was wearing leggings under my uniform) and socks in the corner of the field, and CHARGED back into the mayhem barefoot.
Time for REVENGEEEEEE.
Where I was avoidant before, I now matched the energy. I was the one chasing THEM with buckets of muddy water, wrestling for control of the hose and buckets (a.k.a. tug-of-war fights), defending the hose from being sabotaged (by kinking it), chucking handfuls of dirt, and having little showdowns with the enemy. It was the perfect chance to release all my energy and rage in the most socially acceptable way possible.
Honestly, I was having the time of my life.
Also, the seniors didn’t really know me before, but they sure do now.
After the fight ended (it lasted OVER AN HOUR), I received a plethora of high fives, friendly waves, and pats on the back. Now the seniors say hi to me when we pass each other in the hallway, and I’m really disappointed that they’ll be gone by next week.
Note: Here, school ends mid-December and starts at the end of February. I’ve essentially skipped winter and jumped straight from summer to summer; perks of moving to the southern hemisphere!
Those pants were dripping FOREVER I swear—all over the classroom floor too.
TIME SKIP
They left.
On the day of senior send-off, the last hour of school was replaced by lots of hugs, cheering, and tear-soaked cheek kisses (a Chilean greeting/farewell).
All the students make a path/tunnel thing that the seniors walk through, similar to my Minnesotan high school; except, instead of walking, the seniors kinda, errrr, hug-hopped?
In addition, each grade made each individual senior a gift (there were only 20-ish Seniors in total). My class crafted hollow 3D letters (the first letter of each first name) out of cardboard and filled them with candy and handmade paper flowers, which I just found heart-meltingly sweet.
Aren't these letters just adorable?
The senior send-off in MN is EPIC, but it’s SO much more personalized here.
That’s it!
Thanks for readingggg!!! ❤️❤️❤️
P.S. No, I won’t ever have an official senior graduation ceremony or send-off, but I think I’m perfectly fine with that. I’ll simply live vicariously through my friends :)
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OMG!! What fun! As I was reading this I thought to myself…Mia is going to do something! And you didn’t disappoint me! So happy to read about all the fun you had. Enjoy your time off and will miss seeing you over Christmas! Take care and never stop being Maia!
What a fun, unusual experence . While your slingling mud , everyone here is preparing for our Christmas recitals. We will miss your talent for sure.
I appears that your high school is a very nice campus. I am sure you will be in touch with many students for the rest of your life....
"By the way, your Mom chose NOT to perform in the recital" She is so delightful, and fun to visit with each week."