As I sat there today and listened to the many speeches which seemed to turn on the waterworks for various students, teachers, and parents alike, there were many thoughts which unexpectedly came rushing into my head. There is a certain beauty in being able to become a participant observer of a group and culture through the exposure and involvement in their day-to-day activities. At one point, I began to imagine that I could probably write a detailed ethnographic account out of my time working at Awano based on all of the things I've learned and seen over the last few years. Nevertheless, I've come to realize that through my own observations and brief participation in the lives of so many students (well over 3,000 by now...), I no longer see myself as an outsider trying to 'make contact' in the midst of it all.
Suffice to say that as astounding as it has been to witness the various changes that so many of these teenagers undergo on a sometimes daily basis, I have also become aware of the abundant ways in which I too have changed (in part thanks to them). And so as they get ready to turn the page of a very colorful and important chapter in the story of their lives, I too begin to cherish all that I've learned and changed in preparation to turn the page and begin a new one as well.
Thank you Class of 2014, and "may the road rise up to meet you" now and always.
おめでとうございます！
Read last year's post by clicking here.
