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What a lovely world, right? Catered Lunches, late night coffee runs, and enough fluorescent light to trigger your ADHD tendencies! Back to business.
I have known Gavin Dragon for quite some time. His mom and dad know me quite well, too. They make the most delicious brownies for me (ever since he scored well on his PSAT). One time I attended a dinner party at Gavin's house and the older sister hit on me. She returned home from college. A good one, too. I asked why, she said, "All the years of school I realized that was the one thing I was good at. Top me off with a shnickle of vodka you handsome man." Anyone who calls me handsome deserves more than a shnickle. I gave her a quarter of the bottle and went outside. Later, I made out with her in the back porch as the sun set and finished that vodka together. Potato vodka. I speak high class.
Back to Gavin.
The kids has something. Not "it." Something. His parents push for finance. He reverts back to the Classics. Greek and Roman writings before the birth of Christ. I asked him why on several occasions, sober of course, and he replies with the same line. Hell, I guarantee you can find it in his personal statement: "We can glean more from their knowledge. Still. I know it. I will find it and use it to change the world for the better."
WTF?
Yes. Our Gavin. You'd think a two week camp to Greece devoted to Plato, Socrates, Euclides and Cebes would result in parties and binge drinking with upper-class teenage girls from around the world due to boredom during the day. Not so for Gavin. This future Classicist emailed me on his first day till he left (actually in the airport prior to departure)describing an awakening of sorts. His teachers at the camp were deeply impressed with his honest opinions about how present day issues in the world could benefit from this cultures philosophies. If you did not get their letters let me know (I hung them in my office since the Greek penmanship looks so cool!) One sentence from a teacher, "Gavin asked more poignant questions, generated much dialog, more so than any other student in this camp's 28 year history. He will help promote this field."
Who gets such recognition? Granted most students can only dream of such an experience. Gavin took advantage of it.
I know his grades from the past three years we mediocre at best. Right? Let’s me serious. What do you consider a sign for future greatness? He helped coordinate a fundraiser to pay for seven students, from the school across town with one working toilet to attend the same event next summer. Why those seven? They were the first book club members in his "Classic folks study Classics" at the neighborhood library.
From one to seven in 10 weeks. I can’t lie …all males with pants hiked to way beyond their navel to nipple land. They walked the tracks to chat about CLASSICS. Say that to yourself a few times.
I sincerely hope you admit Gavin. You need his vigor to advance the field. He will bring a youthful scent to your department meetings, too.
In case you wondering, or I am still heartbroken and need TLC, his sister left for an art school in Nebraska. "The flatness inspires me." "What about us?" I asked. Her reply, "Your too round."
Back to paleo for me. Potato Vodka is paleo. I checked.
Cheers,
Bud Pennington
