'The Scholarship Jacket'.docx

1、The Scholarship Jacketby Marta SalinasThe small Texas school that I attended carried out a tradition every year during the eighth grade graduation; a beautiful gold and green jacket, the school colors, was awarded to the class valedictorian, the student who had maintained the highest grade for eight

2、 years. The scholarship jacket had a big gold S on the left front side and the winners name was written in gold letters on the pocket.My oldest sister Rosie had won the jacket a few years back and I fully expected to win also. I was fourteen and in the eighth grade. I had been a straight A student s

3、ince the first grade, and the last year I had looked forward to owning that jacket. My father was a farm laborer who couldnt earn enough money to feed eight children, so when I was six I was given to my grandparents to raise. We couldnt participate in sports in school because there were registration

4、 fees, uniform costs, and trips out of town; so even though we were quite agile and athletic there would never be a sports school jacket for us. This one, the scholarship jacket, was our only chance.In May, close to graduation, spring fever struck, and no one paid any attention in class; instead we

5、stared out the windows and at each other, wanting to speed up the last few weeks of school. I despaired every time I looked in the mirror. Pencil thin, not a curve anywhere, I was called “Beanpole and String Bean and I knew thats what I looked like. A flat chest, no hips, and a brain, thats what I h

6、ad. That really isnt much for a fourteen-year-old to work with, I thought, as I absentmindedly wandered from my history class in the gym. Another hour of sweating in basketball and displaying my toothpick legs was coming up. Then I remembered my P.E. shorts were still in a bag under my desk where Id

7、 forgotten them. I had to walk all the way back and get them. Coach Thompson was a real bear if anyone wasnt dressed for P.E. She had said I was a good forward and once she even tried to talk Grandma into letting me join the team. Grandma, of course, said no.I was almost back at my classrooms door w

8、hen I heard angry voices and arguing. I stopped. I didnt mean to eavesdrop; I just hesitated, not knowing what to do. I needed those shorts and I was going to be lat, but I didnt want to interrupt an argument between my teachers. I recognized the voices; Mr. Schmidt, my history teacher, and Mr. Boon

9、e, my math teacher. They seemed to be arguing about me. I couldnt believe it. I still remember the shock that rooted me flat against the wall as if I were trying to blend in with the graffiti written there. 111 refuse to do it! I dont care who her father is, her grades dont even begin to compare to

10、Marthas. I wont lie or falsify records. Martha has a straight A plus average and you know it That was Mr. Schmidt and he sounded very angry. Mr. Boones voice sounded calm and quiet.“Look, Joanns father is not only on the Board, he owns the only store in town; we could say it was a close tie and.The

11、pounding in my ears drowned out the rest if the words only a word here and there filtered through. ll. Martha is Mexican. resign. wont do it. Mr. Schmidt came rushing out, luckily for me went down the opposite was toward the auditorium, so he didnt see me. Shaking, I waited a few minutes and then we

12、nt in and grab my bag and fled from the room. Mr. Boone looked up when I came in but didnt say anything. To this day I dont remember if I got in trouble in P.E. for being late or how I made it through the rest of the afternoon. I went home very sad and cried into my pillow that night so grandmother

13、wouldnt hear me. It seemed a cruel coincidence that I had overheard that conversation.The next day when the principal called me into the office, I knew what it would be about. He looked uncomfortable and unhappy. I decided I wasnt going to make it easier for him so I looked him straight in the eye.

14、He looked away and fidgeted with the papers on his desk.“Martha, he said, theres been a change in policy this year regarding the scholarship jacket. As you know, it has always been free. He cleared his throat and continued. This year the Board decided to change fifteen dollars一which still wont cover

15、 the complete cost of the jacket.I stared at him in shock and a small sound of dismay escaped by throat. I hadnt expected this. He still avoided looking in my eyes.So if you are unable to pay the fifteen dollars for the jacket, it will be given to the next one in line.Standing with all the dignity I

16、 could muster, I said, I,ll speak to my grandfather about it, sir, and let you know tomorrow. I cried on the walk home from the bus stop. The dirt road was a quarter of a mile from the highway, so by the time I got home, my eyes were red and puffy.Wheres Grandpa? I asked Grandma, looking down at the floor so she wouldnt ask me why Id been crying. She was sewing on a quilt and didnt look up.111 think hes out