Posterboards and Posterchild

I had my poster presentation for my internship yesterday. Yes, a poster presentation. Think of it as a 6th grade science poster on steroids. My tri-fold board was meant to reflect what my goals had been for my internship, as well as what I had accomplished and learned. There were pictures of Dr. Hall and I, my class, and me working on the history bulletin board (which is still standing unfinished.. whoops!). I even went down to A.C. Moore and "picked up" some nifty scrapbooking stickers of desks, globes, notebooks and various other items that might pop into your head when you think of a history class. This sounds fine and dandy I'm sure. However, waiting until the night before it is due added a bit of stress to my situation. I sat up late writing dribble about my responsibilities and new skills I had picked up along the way until I realized I was not only lying, but I wasn't making much damn sense. One sentence actually read, "Worked Students Better." Now, I don't know about you, but that just might have given off the wrong impression.
Some how I managed to pull it all together before the presentation at 4 p.m. yesterday. I, as well as the rest of my Peace College interns, took our places in the Main Parlor as students, staff and faculty perused through our circle of "professional" accomplishments. Our guests were urged to ask about what we did, learned and what our next step would be after this was all said and done. Some of the interns had cheat sheets on the back of their boards to better explain these points, some had notecards, the brave few of us winged it. I'm glad that I did, because what came from that was not a stiff presentation, but conversations that reached far beyond the boundaries of a rehearsed script.
I had people who met me for the first at this presentation saying what a fantastic job I seemed to have done. I had people who had met me just this semester saying they expected nothing less than amazing from me. But, most importantly, I had those who have been here for my entire journey, while placing a hand on my shoulder, saying how incredibly proud they were of me for how far I have come and how they knew that my time would come. From Latonya in the Reigstrar's office to Angela Kirkley in Financial Aid, they all beamed with sheer and utter delight. Even good ol' President BingBing clutched my hand while saying she has seen me mature far beyond what could have been expected. So, although I was left drained from explaining the specifics of my work, I was excited to be pleasantly, emotionally exhuasted from the people who have seen me work and grow over the past years.




Working on that damn bulletin board. A slur of profanities could be heard by those walking the halls... and possibly those occupying the surrounding classrooms. Sorry folks.