They looked nervous, excited, and already a bit tired as they waited for the bus. To be fair, it was 11:00 at night and they were about to bus down to the Pan-American highway then spend all night jogging 30 km back up the mountain (in shifts, alternating with bus rides). That’s certainly more than I ever did to celebrate my country’s independence when I was 14 (or any age since)!
At 7am my wife drove me and a few younger students partway back down the mountain to join up with the grade 9-12 students from all 3 local highschools who had been out all night. We jogged up to the final school of the journey, where the entire student body was assembled to light their own torch of independence from our main one (which, in turn, had been lit at midnight from the biggest one being run all the way down from Guatemala). We sang the national anthem, then hit the road again for the final, glorious leg into Santa Elena for several patriotic songs.
If that wasn’t enough, we then lit our own school torch and jogged back to the Friends School, with each grade stationed at points along the road to join us and take their turn carrying the torch. Each time our numbers swelled, my heart also swelled with pride – for this strong school community, and this country that stands for Peace and environmental stewardship and universal care and education and such a healthy life. The wee kindergarten children trembled with fear/excitement as they took the last turns up the parking lot to the school field, where we enjoyed more songs and a speech written by the junior and senior class.
Our school actively celebrates Independence by incorporating it into lessons, learning the country’s songs during morning assemblies, and making lanterns for the night walk that happened later on that day. But this overnight shared experience of carrying the torch of independence is what sticks with me as the most powerful appreciation of our place in this country and the world. I am thankful to be here, and thankful for these beautiful traditions.
