EDUCATIONALLY SPEAKING -- Gay Geiser-Sandoval

I’ve been running around like crazy this month, wondering what it must be

like to be a parent who spends evenings watching television. Then, I saw

the Pilot’s request for letters about what we are thankful for. Gee, I’ve

been so lucky this month, running around like crazy, with no time to

stare at the boob tube.

I started out the month by being invited to a Girls’ Golf Banquet. Girls’

golf became a high school sport just last year, so the killer mentality

hasn’t permeated the team yet. My foursome on the executive putting

course included a team member’s older brother who had never played golf.

Regardless of his stroke abilities, he was looking good, and we often

stopped for photo ops on the green. By the end, he was Tiger II. One team

member took the water hazard moniker a little too seriously and fell into

the water. My ball always wanted to go to the beach, and was constantly

in a sand trap. Our group got the most giggles award. We didn’t win a

million dollars. We didn’t get the Bell or the trophy. But we sure had

fun. I was thankful that the team had been privileged to work with such a

wonderful coach who encouraged them to improve.

Next, I was invited to an academic awards ceremony, where students were

recognized for getting good grades. You would think with all of the fuss

over how the educational system is going to hell in a handbasket, we

would be doing all we could to encourage kids to get good grades. But, we

don’t. At the secondary school level, it might not be cool to get good

grades. Well, I’m letting the cat out of the bag. There were a lot of

cool kids there. They were also very talented. Instead of speeches, there

were smart kids playing musical instruments, singing and dancing. I

wondered which of these kids would be my doctor, my dentist and my

technology consultant in a few more years.

I’ve been spending my Tuesday nights at the Santa Ana courthouse. If you

want to be assured of a bright future, go see 1,000 high school students

from throughout the county come together to try the case of People vs.

Sam Rose. There are 47 teams from 44 high schools paired off in front of

real judges to put on the trials. Our district has four teams.

I was in a daze just to see that many teenage boys wearing pants that fit

them. Most of the crowd of young men and women were in their power suits.

They had bright, shiny faces and were buzzing with a mix of nervous

energy and excitement. Many in the crowd had crossed paths before, in

district summer school classes, leadership and journalism camps, sports

competitions and speech contests. You could hear the shouts across the

cafeteria when an old companion was spotted. In the few minutes before

and after the trial, students from competing schools would pull out their

AP books and find out how the courses were taught at a different school.

They would talk about how various school programs were run, or where

their college applications were being sent. Instead of having to sit

across the field or gym and glare at the other team, these students got a

chance to know each other.

Because everyone says that speaking in public is the No. 1 fear of most

Americans, it is truly amazing that 1,000 kids would volunteer to do

this. At some schools, 100 kids try out for the 20 spots on the team.

Many people panic at the prospect of saying their name in court when they

are called for jury duty. Here, you have 15-year-olds to 17-year-olds

taking on the role of Perry Mason. Who among you could explain the

various court holdings of the exclusionary rule as it applies to apparent

consent while the judge is pelting you with questions? Would you be able

to articulate the proper objection in the nanosecond between the

attorney’s question and the witness’ answer? Could you leave the comfort

of your notes at the podium to speak extemporaneously about the testimony

that has just been given in relation to the elements of the crimes

charged? Can you recognize the difference between an exception to the

hearsay rule as opposed to testimony offered for a non-hearsay purpose? I

wait for a team member to stand up and address the judge with, “If it

please the court, I’ll pass out now.” It never happens.

So, if you are worried about the decline of test scores or school

violence, please join me on Tuesday nights in November. This group will

definitely lead us into the new millennium.

The only thing I’m not thankful for is the multitude of college

applications. I’m promoting the idea of a universal essay question for

all colleges. The prompt should be, “Why should we let you into our

school?” I could give the colleges a plethora of reasons why they should

let in the kids I’ve met this month. Happy Thanksgiving!

* GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL is a Costa Mesa resident. Her column runs Mondays.

She can be reached by e-mail at GGSesq@aol.com.