Bernice, my little leader

Last Saturday, I had the chance to witness the 'growing up' ceremony of OB Montessori (O.B.M.C. for short) Greenhills, and the reason, of course, was my daughter's part in it.

Just as a backgrounder, the growing up ceremony is done to officially shift the school's cub and star scouts to boy and girl scouts respectively. For the young kids group - to the older kids group. Its supposed to welcome them to greater responsibilities and challenges. So the idea is that they transform from young kids to hopefully more mature kids - somewhere right before their pre-teen phase, these scouts now face more responsibilities, not just as students, but as scouts - and by extension, model citizens.

I could easily relate to all these, since I, myself, was a very active scout during my grade school and high school days - so I know about the symbolisms in the ceremonies and their meanings.

Going back to the ceremony - I knew Bernice had a part to play in the program, namely the demonstration of setting up a tripod (three pieces of wood tied together so they can be used to stand and hang a pot on - usually over fire, for cooking purposes), and that was just about it.

To my surprise, Bernice did not just do that - well, actually it seemed like she was observing and helping in small ways during their demo, but the fact remains that she was there helping, rather than just sitting and waiting with the rest of the student body. But apparently, there were other portions of the program she did not mention to me - and to think that I was contemplating on making her skip the final practice because of my perceived small role she would have in the program - lucky for me... and her, that I did not insist on that action. Let me explain why.

As a patrol leader, she apparently had a lot of additional functions... carrying the patrol flag being just one of them. There was also her participation in the symbolical donning of neckerchiefs from their seniors (I can only surmise that these were select leaders of Boy and Girl Scouts forming the welcoming circle, and donning the neckerchiefs). There was the 'going up the stage to receive the patrol's sashes' while having their parents don their neckerchiefs on them on the stage. All in all, she had several small, but symbolic parts in the program, and I'm sure that when the pictures come out. I'll be buying a lot more than Barbie paid for... including the part where I was helping her don her neckerchief on stage of course.

While all this was happening, I asked Bryce - who was observing all these with me, what was the basis of selecting patrol leaders, and he said that it was either through popularity, or given to the brighter students, or possibly both.

I wonder if he knew that he somehow confirmed to me that Bernice was either of the three. Not that he wouldn't of course, but I can't help but wonder if there was a hint of pride and not envy in what he said... you see, on our way to O.B.M.C. Barbie asked me to talk to him about seemingly avoiding Bernice, or seemingly resenting her for one reason or another.

I may still have to talk to him... but I know that is normal anyway... after all, it can be attributed to sibling rivalries. All we (that is, Barbie and I) need do is show that we love them both regardless of accolades.

For that day, though... Bernice was one of the stars, and I was a glad witness to it... better yet, it was nice to be a part of it.

Whatever we're doing as her - and Bryce's parents, we seem to be doing it right.