Monday, April 15, 2013

What Would You Do?

At a high school I am familiar with, they had a contest in which a qualifying student would win a Quinceañera.
A Quinceañera is: Today's ceremonies embrace religious traditions, and the virtues of family and social responsibility. The custom is a celebration of the young girl (la Quinceanera), and a recognition of her journey from childhood to maturity. The celebration highlights God, family, friends, music, food, and dance.
In the Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American traditions, the custom can be referred to as a Quince (XV) Años, a Quinces, or a Quinceanera. The celebration traditionally begins with a religious ceremony. A reception is held in the home or a banquet hall. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed waltz or dance performed by the Quinceanera and her court. The Quinceanera's court can be comprised of young girls (called a Dama), young men (called Chambelán or Escorte or Galán) or a combination of both - traditionally up to 14 persons in the court, which with the Quinceanera, would total 15 young people. The Quinceanera traditionally wears a ball gown, with her court usually dressed in gowns and tuxedos. Guests usually receive small tokens, cápias and cerámicas, to commemorate the celebration. It is customary for the Quinceanera to receive the following gifts for her ceremony: tiara
bracelet or ring
earrings
cross or medal or necklace
Bible or Prayer Book and Rosary

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/latinos/quince-traditions.htm
But because this is a high school, the religious part is taken out and a more traditional party is offered.
At this school, they took the qualified students and put their names in a box and started pulling names.  One by one, the students did not show up.  Then a name was called and the student was there.  The student who won the Quinceanera is severely disabled student with a mental age of 3.
The student is unable to read, write, is non-verbal, count to two, participate in group activities and can pee or poop in his pants.
The student has no clue what a Quinceañera is, in fact the student was happy that he got a balloon as the prize. Of course, he then popped the balloon and had more fun.
It also should be noted the student is 18 years old and is a male, both of which goes against the tradition of a Quinceañera.
So, if you were the parent of the severely disabled student, would you:
1.  Accept the prize and celebrate with the family and their friends.
2.  Accept the prize and have the party with his classmates.
3.  Accept a downsized prize and allow another student who has a concept of what a  Quinceañera is, to have the Quinceañera.
4.  Decline the prize and have a redrawing.
Personally, if I was the parent, I would chose #3,accept a downsized award and celebrate with my classmates and give the full size award to a student who would appreciate a Quinceañera and was not able to afford it.
What would you do?

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