Winning Entries!

Magnolia Quarterly

Autumn Contest 2010

First Place

 

Room 102

Lottie Boggan – Jackson, MS

 

One female student coming up from junior to senior high school had nightmares about being at the right class at the right time. On this, the first day of school, again she glanced at her schedule. 8:00 a. m. August, 23. l952. Room 202. It was awesome to her that when the bell rang, she should have to be in the right place in the big brick building in just three minutes.

With relief she walked into her first class on time and found a seat on the front row.

The bell rang. The teacher marched in, called the roll, then asked, “This is Room 102. Is there anybody who didn’t hear their name?”

The timid girl on the front row raised her hand. “Hi. You didn’t call my name.” She gave him a tentative smile. He smiled back.

“I’m so very sorry. We want to give a special and a warm welcome to you this morning.”

Feeling at ease now, the girl grinned from ear to ear.

The teacher came from behind his desk, sat on the front edge and swung his legs back and forth. “This young lady has broken the barriers of what was once an all-male organization.” In the silence that followed he cleared his throat. “She is now the first woman at Central High and possibly in the South, to enroll in ROTC.”

Knees trembling, face flushed, tears stinging her cheeks, the girl fled the room, with loud male laughter pushing her out the door.

 

Second Place

New School Year

Judy Davies – Gautier, MS

  

Tall and lean, obviously a newcomer, she looked hot!  I wouldn't have forgotten a face or shape like that if we had met before.  She was seated in the back row, floppy purse on the floor, text and folder on the desk.  Rimless glasses framed her gorgeous green eyes.  I willingly checked out the rest of her attributes—long, sexy legs, beautiful red hair falling in soft waves and pleasantly arranged curves in all the right places.  I put on my super cool and moved toward her. 

“Hi, I’m Kelly.”

"Hello, Kelly, I'm Jeannie Byrd."

"You must be new."

“Yes, I am.  I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you," she said, flashing a smile as she rose, picked up her things and headed up front.

I hoped so.  I was already having visions of asking her out in the not-too-distant future.  My buddy Mark approached claiming the empty seat next to me.

“Hey, I was sort of saving that!”

"Well, too late now.  Who were you saving it for?"

"That gal up front with the teacher.  I’m going to ask her out."

Just then the teacher began:  "I hope you've all had a pleasant summer.  This year we have a new mentoring program, so I will be observing the class.  Allow me to introduce Miss Jeannie Byrd, your new teacher."

Mark grinned as I slid down in my seat.  I’d already made my first gaffe.  Not exactly the start to the school year I’d planned.

Third Place

Sophie’s New Adventure

Marcia C. Mills – Lansdale PA

 

“Move it, grandma,” a lanky, red-haired student blurted as he whizzed past me and darted through the door. What have I gotten myself into, I thought, struggling up the steps of the library. It’s too late to turn back. I am now officially registered as of August 20.

The academic advisor was pleasant, offering me a chair and picking up the Distance Learning for Seniors brochure as I entered her area. 

“What can I do for you today?”

“I would like to enroll in your advanced technology program.”

“Excuse me,” she stuttered. “You want to enroll in…?  Tell me about your background.”

“College graduate, UNC class of 1964.  Married my college sweetheart, raised four children. Became a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator. All in that order.”

“Impressive,” the advisor said, placing the seniors’ brochure back on the rack.

“Yes, I plan to transfer to a four year institution eventually.”

We completed my registration and I was on my way. The advisor stood and shook my hand.  “It has been a pleasure to talk with you. I’m not sure I could do what you’re doing.”

“It’s easy when you have children and grandchildren who offer encouragement.”  I completed my bachelor’s degree in three years and received a promotion at work. I have only one regret and that is I won’t be around when the lanky, red-haired student turns seventy-five.

Honorable Mention

School of Sorrow

Richard Sponaugle – Alexandria, VA

The sun rises slowly this already steamy, September morning.  Yet it appears too soon for Steve, an incoming junior at James High School, who’s already earned his two year degree in being pushed, punched, laughed at and spat on.  Steve’s bedroom mirror reveals sunken in, bloodshot eyes that no longer make contact with anything but the ground.  His quiet nature in Junior High’s slowly evolved into almost autistic withdrawal.

Steve loved his summer vacation, not because of time spent with his parents, who’ve always been too worried about mortgages and careers to much notice him, but because he spent glorious, quiet, quality time alone in his room.  Even Steve’s periodic fits of unseen tears – invisible even to him – seemed like watermelon smiles compared to the first day at ‘his’ school.  Those ‘classmates’ who won’t torment Steve will speak to their friends, hug their girl and boyfriends, in between dreaming of proms, college and careers.  Steve’s goal is hourly survival.  Soon he’ll walk into homeroom like a 16 year old ‘man’ going to death row, six times a day for nine months, wondering what heinous crime he’s committed.  His physical and mental anguish will go unnoticed by teachers too overworked, or too interested in their own political agenda.

When the first school bell rings in his ear like a siren, Steve will think the bell tolls just for him, never knowing how many thousands of students will hear the same death bell.

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