CHAPTER 17: Graduation
We had training all week. Like I said, we had our orientation on Monday morning, then after lunch, we had infant care. On Tuesday morning, we finished the unit on infant care, then in the afternoon, we learned basic first aid. This was something I already knew about, because I'd spent some time helping patch up Andrew or Emily after one of them had fallen and hurt themselves. On Wednesday, we had CPR training, and learned what to do if a baby was choking.
Thursday was swimming/water safety day, the day I'd been worried about. Well, maybe a little. We were each paired up with a partner. Since Pamela and I had officially buried the hatchet while we were in Washington, I didn't mind being paired up with her. (Hannie and Nancy were paired together, though.) I also knew that Kristy had talked to the lifeguard, so I felt a little better.
What we had to do was this: one of us had to pretend that we were drowning, and the other person had to "save" them, using two or three different methods, such as a flotation device or a body part, like a hand, arm, or leg. I'm just glad we didn't have to grab them by the hair!
Well, here goes nothing, I thought as I put in my earplugs and jumped into the water. After I finished, it was Pamela's turn.
Friday was test day. We had to take all of these written tests that covered all the areas we'd covered that week, and even got to leave after lunch, instead of staying for the afternoon. I felt confident that I'd done well on the tests.
Saturday was graduation day. We were going to get our certificates that afternoon.
"Don't worry about a thing, Karen," Kristy said reassuringly. "You did a good job on the tests, and I'm sure you'll get some kind of award."
"Thanks," I said. I also remembered when the BSC members had taken that infant-care course, and Kristy had been surprised when she'd won that award for the highest score on one of the tests. You see, the reason why the BSC had taken that course is because Mrs. Prezzioso had requested it, so they would be able to take care of Andrea, whose older sister, Jenny, is also in the Stoneybrook Kids.
When we pulled into a parking space, we saw the Everetts' SUV pulling in beside us. Apparently, Jason wanted to cheer me on.
"Hi, Jason," I said as I got out of the station wagon. "Come to see me graduate?"
"Aye," he said. I threw my arms around him, and we gave each other a careful hug, because I knew he wasn't completely healed from his appendectomy just yet.
As soon as we got inside, Kristy and I found the others and took our seats, and before too long, the ceremony got underway. The first certificate to be presented was for participation. Then they presented them to people who had scored the highest on the tests we'd taken the day before. I won for the highest scores on the infant-care test. (I guess all those years of helping with Emily, as well as Danny Dawes, Nancy's little brother, really paid off.) Jannie Gilbert, who had been part of Pamela's crowd in second grade, won for the highest scores on the first-aid test. Nancy won for the highest scores on the infant/child choking/CPR test.
The next award to be presented was for the water safety/lifesaving techniques unit. It would be presented to the best team. I thought for sure that Pamela and I wouldn't have a chance.
"The team that we'd like to present the certificates to is a very special team," the presenter said, "considering the fact that one member recently had her tonsils out."
I knew right away that they were talking about me and Pamela. We smiled at each other, and sat up taller in our chairs.
"Would Karen Brewer and Pamela Harding please come up and get your awards?" the presenter asked.
I grabbed Pamela's arm, and we went up on stage to get our awards. I hadn't felt this proud since I was in second grade, and kept winning one spelling bee after another—and driving my friends nuts in the process with my constant spelling—but losing the statewide one. As we stood there and the presenter shook our hands, I looked out at the audience, and saw Kristy and the other BSC members sitting in the second row. I could tell they were proud of us, and that Kristy was glad she'd chosen me to take over as BSC president when she went off to college.