Bowling field trip

The school which Namine attends, Rural Virtual Academy , is, as you can tell from its name, primarily a virtual school. In efforts to build socialization and let the students meet their classmates in person, they have field trips from time to time. The most recent was at a bowling alley, and not too far for us to make a trip.

This particular bowling alley had two locations in the same city. Of the two, this one unfortunately did not have accessible access, like ramps down the area where one actually bowled. They did, however, have an incredibly steep ramp which was placed over the stairs. While I can no longer carry Namine, due to my hurt back, I was able to stand behind her and ease her down the ramp. (I also had no problems pushing her back up, once we were done bowling.)

Namine was placed randomly into a lane. Some lanes had several kids (and their parents), but Namine’s lane included just herself and one boy. I had planned on helping Namine, as I usually do, by carrying the bowling ball for her. It’s difficult for her to wheel and carry the ball at the same time; she can do it, but this usually results in her having to wheel single-handedly.

When it was Namine’s turn, before I had a chance to head back down, her bowling companion grabbed her ball and followed her down to the lane. She hadn’t asked him for help; he did it voluntarily. He continued to help Namine throughout the two games they played together.

It might seem like such a small thing, to help someone in need. However, this exemplifies the traits the RVA establishes as most important. Their name stands for Rural Virtual Academy, but at the start of each year, the orientation draws attention to another initialism: “Relationships. Values. Academics.”

More important than education is the importance of treating one’s peers with kindness and respect. This is instilled in every RVA student by example of their teachers, and it was heartening to see it in action. By his actions, Namine’s new friend showed his values and how they align with the truly important things the RVA is teaching.