Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2002 | 2:34 p.m.

our school has a wonderful alumni association which gives approximately 50 scholarships to seniors each year, ranging from $200 to $2000. in addition, our school gives several scholarships from organizations such as the pta and student council.

i received one of these scholarships, for $500. but this isn't just any scholarship. it actually means something to me. mrs. hensley-marschand was the first spanish teacher i ever had, back in seventh grade. she was diagnosed with cancer that year. she was an extraordinary woman, and her death in 1998 devastated my class, as we were the last class she taught.

but there's more to this story. our principal happens to be one larry hensley-marschand. he is the one donating the money in honor of his late wife. this seems like no big deal. and it wouldn't be. except that i hate him. i absolutely loathe the existence of this man. he is a terrible administrator and to him, everything is politics. not only do i have to write him a letter to thank him, but i also have to sit with him at a banquet where the awards will be presented.

oh. my. i'd absolutely rather die.

sometimes i think God does things, not necessarily to spite me, but to teach me what it really means to love all people and see them through His eyes. perhaps this is one those times. ha. fantastic.