Sports Day at Wakaba Junior High School was an absolute blast this year, and Serena, the school’s dedicated ALT, was right in the thick of it! Known for her enthusiasm and energy, Serena didn’t just turn up — she made the day extra special.
Serena’s Sunday started bright and early at 6 a.m., with coffee in hand and a determined spirit. By 7 a.m., she was already on the school grounds helping Henkamigata Sensei, the 4th Gr. HRT, to get everything set up. From banners to seating arrangements, she pitched in wherever she could, earning smiles and nods of appreciation from the staff.
But Serena didn’t stop there. As the advisor for the English Club, which meets every Wednesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m., she had a brilliant idea: why not bring a touch of English flair to the Sports Day cheering? She rallied a few members of the club to join her in shouting English cheers throughout the day. “Let’s go, Wakaba Red Team!” and “You can do it! Red! Red! Red! ” echoed across the field, adding a unique international flavor to the event.
“It was such a fantastic day,” Serena said, her cheeks glowing with the sunburn of a committed participant. “The students were amazing, the energy was electric, and the English cheers were a hit! I’m so proud of everyone.”
As the day wound down, Serena noticed the HRTs gathered in hushed conversation about a post-event nomikai at Wakaba Downtown’s best Snack “Yamato Nomippuri”. Though she wasn’t invited, she chose not to dwell on it. “I was exhausted anyway,” she laughed. “I’m sure they just forgot to invite me. No big deal!”
Instead, Serena spent her evening relaxing on the couch, binge-watching Netflix™ and recharging for the week ahead, don’t forget the Speech Contest!
ALT Takeaway: Whether it’s waking up early, cheering with your students, or stepping back gracefully when excluded, Serena’s story reminds us that ALT life is all about seizing the moment and finding joy in the little things. Cheers to you, Serena! 🏅 (message from Limitless Dispatch LTD Manager)