This week's Student of the Week is Lyova B (I KNOW there are some memorable photos of this guy out there. Send one!!).

Although Lyova is not in my class this year (sad!!), I HAVE TO make him Student of the Week if, for no other reason, than to record my first meeting with this guy. By now, most of you know the story...

It's Lyova's grade 8 year and all the grade 8's and 9's (and 10"s?) are in the gym for the end-of-year awards ceremony. As the Math Department Head, I am responsible for handing out awards to the top performers in the year's Math contests. So I confidently step to the middle of the gym when it is my time to speak:

"There were many grade 8 students who wrote Math contests this year. But there were two young ladies who distinguished themselves as being particularly strong. I'd like to call Nella L and Lyova B down, please."

And the entire audience went crazy...

I'm standing there like "Why is everyone laughing and screaming and why is that BOY walking towards me. Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!".

Thank goodness it was Lyova. (Obviously) I had never met him before my major mess-up but, once I DID get to know him, it became very obvious that he was one of the few grade 8 students who could care less if someone messed up their gender in front of all his peers. In fact, I think he enjoyed the extra attention.

A few other things I'll remember about Lyova:

1. his great love of Wham (particularly Careless Whisper)
2. his two-year stint as "Announcements Guy". He's a little over the top sometimes (NO MORE "CHAD"!!!) but we will never have another announcer who gets so many students to actually LISTEN to the announcements (Well done, Sir!)
3. how he would always try to avoid doing math in my class and focus on puzzles, Connect 4, Chess, etc.
4. how he didn't need to avoid the math because he is VERY GOOD at math
5. how he still walks into my class sometimes (particularly Foundations 12) to work on puzzles / problems with us
6. the fact that he is Xavia's "Slave-Boy" (I'm not sure he knows)
7. some of the outfits / costumes that he would wear from time to time (usually with Duncan M) with absolute no self-conscious doubts whatsoever (impressive!)
8. that wooden sword that he has been making for the past year (or is it longer?)
9. his frequent absences (this guy travels a lot and acts a lot, right? He wasn't just skipping my class, was he?)
10. his contagious enthusiasm for almost everything he is doing. I want to be more like that!! 

Lyova, you are a great guy. I never heard you say a harsh word towards anyone or anything. So laid back, so friendly, so talented, and so unique. I have NO IDEA what your future plans are but I am sure that (1) you have big goals, (2) that they are not "traditional goals" (you always put your own spin on things), (3) that you will be very successful. Never lose your special way of looking at and approaching life. Good luck to you, Lyova!