I worked, during my years as an associate professor of English, in the community college’s learning center. There, we did tutoring in all disciplines, held auxiliary and other classes, performed computer-assisted instruction, and catered to students of general and specific income groups, ethnic origins, and abilities and disabilities. The latter three demographics were often part of a government-funded program that allowed us to serve, support, and give stipends and scholarships to financially and mentally/emotionally challenged learners as well as gifted students of low incomes. This meant we got to have contests, trophies and awards ceremonies, and thoughtful, seasonal events and celebrations.

Since we were as keen as the government in promoting student success, we took to the program in a big way. the prize-giving ceremonies were only a culmination of all the hard work put in. Students, tutors, sponsors–all were rewarded for hard work, for bringing people together, for progressing in academics, and so on. Catalogues of awards and trophies would be ordered by me and two of my co-workers. Along with friends, we would pore over these books as if they were really great classics! Yes, the budget was limited, but that did not prevent us from choosing unusual trophies along with the more pragmatic awards.

Now, if the recipient is someone well known to you, it is easy to choose the trophy. His/Her personality, likes and dislikes, his/her style–will decide what must be ordered for him/her. To take a case in point, there was a quiet-natured gentleman who was retiring from service. This man was extremely devoted to his work and very organized. So we ordered a plaque made of wood and gold and had our appreciative words engraved on it.

The tragedy that occured on September 11 and the consequences that followed, induced a number of my co-workers to retire before time. They were now unemployed, and would receive a stipend for each year of service that they had put in. Those who got their jobs were happy as they really needed them! Since we were to take care of the trophies and awards, we decided to go in for something unusual, along with the usual round of retirement parties, speeches, itineraries, food, etc. Now the learning center Trio program people had been given the name STAARS, which stood for “student academic and retention services”. After a lot of thought and hunting around, we got golden figures holding giant stars as rewards for them. They were well appreciated as they would be remembered for a long time to come. And we had gotten off the beaten track by opting for such unusual gifts!

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