America 1982-Chapter 46 - 5: Application Approved
Lincoln High School’s small internal meeting was beginning.
Sitting solemnly behind the chairman’s desk in the meeting room was Principal Nestor Mendez, with the school’s Dean Marsha Walton and Vice Principal Louis McDyess on his left and right sides, respectively.
"Tommy Hawk, Dennis Herbs, Pam Marvell," Mr. Mendez assessed the three high school students who, like well-behaved children, sat with their hands on their laps, waiting to be questioned, "If you’re ready, then the inquiry concerning the school’s initiation of the Caribbean Sea and United State America Youth Student Leaders Summer Summit is about to begin."
Tommy Hawk glanced at his two pals beside him. Dennis responded with a wink, while Pam, that guy, turned his head ninety degrees, paying no attention to the principal’s words, intently admiring Ottilia Farrell, who was dressed in black formal wear with silk stockings and high heels, standing beside them and offering a smile of encouragement.
"Yes, Mr. Principal," Tommy began.
"This event, abbreviated as CSLS, is said to take place in two locations on your application report — one here at Lincoln High School in Warwick City, which is our school, and the other you have chosen is the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown, at Thomas Saunders Secondary School. Frankly, this is the first time I’m hearing about this country, and you need to explain to the school why there."
"If such summits are held annually, the location will naturally be adjusted, but this time it’s tentatively set at a secondary school in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, perhaps the Bahamas next year. First, we conducted a detailed investigation of the country and are about to set out for an early survey..."
"Because that country only has three primary schools, one secondary school, no university; put it this way, Mr. Principal, even a poor student like me who gets D grades could be regarded as a mathematician there, and the rent is cheap. Renting the entire middle school venue only costs fifty bucks a day." Seeing his friend prepare for a lengthy discourse, Dennis directly interrupted Tommy, stating the real reason.
Tommy lowered his head in despair, "Dennis, we had an agreement, sorry, Mr. Principal, Mrs. Walton, Mr. McDyess, besides what Dennis mentioned, I can add a few more points that sound more... diplomatic." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
"So, it’s about seeing the difference between United State America public education and public education in other countries, directly, and allowing the kids to realize the excellence of United State America public education?" Mrs. Walton, the Dean, asked expressionlessly.
Tommy Hawk was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "Of course, without a doubt. We plan to hold math competitions, baseball matches, music and art exchanges, and other activities with the local high school students there, basically guaranteeing satisfying competition results for the United State America students."
"It says here that you will not only take Americas youth student leaders to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for visits and exchanges, competitions with the local youth but also invite some of the students from that country to Lincoln High School in Warwick City, USA for exchanges."
"Yes, although most people in that country live on growing bananas and have low incomes, there is still a portion who are wealthy; much less wealthy compared to those in United State America, but still considered rich in their country. I’m thinking of attracting those rich kids through this summit, getting them to bring their money to read high school in United State America, of course, this kind of invitation comes at a fee." Since his friend Dennis had already torn off the mask, Tommy gave up on being evasive and spoke openly.
"The best choice would be for them to visit and have exchanges at Lincoln High School," Mr. Mendez, the principal, nodded with satisfaction, "which means, Lincoln High School might have international students enrolling in the future? Very good, and then there is your hope that the school will allocate some funds to support your publicity plan... Tommy, we are very pleased with your summit plan, but the school cannot provide you with much financial support, although you’ve also written that if there were profits, a portion would be donated to the school."
Hearing the school only wanted a share of the profits without investment, Tommy Hawk lowered his head and spoke in a polite tone but with highly disrespectful words, "Mr. Principal, with all due respect, if the school doesn’t support our idea, then why should we initiate this summit at Lincoln High School? We could switch this organization’s affiliation to another school, I could replace Pam and Dennis as the founders with someone from another high school, or we might as well just register our own company and then look for a high school to partner with."
Hearing the possibility of being replaced, Dennis and Pam immediately turned their faces towards Tommy Hawk, ready to confront the jerk if things went south.
"Mind your tone, Tommy Hawk," Mrs. Walton, the Dean of Students, reminded him.
"It’s alright, Mrs. Walton," Principal Mendes smiled at Mrs. Walton and then turned to Tommy Hawk, "The school can offer you seven days of access during the summer for your summit, including all clubs, meeting rooms, sports stadiums, classrooms, school buses, etc. The administrative department can also provide the help you need. We hope that high school students from other countries and from across the United States can see the best side of Lincoln High School. However, you must understand that the school does not have a lot of funds. We can only allocate one thousand dollars as a sign of our support for your activities. What do you think?"
"Thank you, Mr. Principal, although..." Tommy Hawk, having heard the amount of one thousand dollars, said with a grateful expression.
Dennis chimed in, "We were guessing that the school might only be willing to provide five hundred, Mr. Principal."
"If you still want to be a co-founder of CSLS, and to be seen as a leader among American youth, you’d better shut up, Dennis!" Tommy said frustratedly, turning his face towards Dennis.
The Principal laughed, "It seems I have doubled your psychological expectations. Mrs. Walton, Mr. McDyess, what do you think?"
"I agree."
"I also agree, Mr. Principal."
"Congratulations, kids. The application for your Caribbean and United States Youth Leadership Summer Summit Club has officially been approved. So go ahead and do what you enjoy doing, and remember to notify the school ahead of the official opening." The Principal picked up the stamp and pressed it firmly onto the application form, "The one thousand dollars will be delivered in the form of a check to the teacher guiding this event, Miss Ottilia Farrell."
Afterward, the Principal and the Dean of Students both stood up and left the meeting room. Ottilia also followed the three of them out as the Principal had some matters to discuss with her.
Only Tommy and the other two were left in the meeting room. Dennis ran his hands through his hair, "You really did it, Tommy, casually submitting an application and making a thousand dollars from the school."
"If you hadn’t talked nonsense, maybe I could have gotten even more," Tommy Hawk exhaled.
Dennis patted Tommy’s shoulder, "Anyway, I think we should celebrate. A thousand bucks is enough for the three of us to go to Paradise Club ’till we puke."
"I agree," Pam said from the side.
"You should start now by demanding yourself as a youth student leader, Dennis. Going to Paradise Club with the school’s check?" Tommy Hawk looked at them speechlessly.
With a matter-of-course expression, Dennis answered, "I even demand myself strictly in the image of the President of the United States. You know, Tommy, President Kennedy used to always go to strip shows with his brother in high school, and that’s why he became President of the United States, and his brother became a presidential candidate."
