When I was in elementary school, I won a candy counting contest. Back then, it was a big deal, but it also holds bittersweet memories for me. Especially now, because I just did it again.
The school had a display case with a large jug inside holding a variety of small wrapped sugary delights, and we were invited to estimate how many were in the jar for a chance to win it. I wasn’t much of a candy person growing up, which made Easter and Christmas more about presents than risks to my dental health. Also, I was the prize winner of most deserving to be bullied, not only by my peers, but by the faculty as well. In first grade my teacher grumbled at my mother because she allowed me to read ahead in my textbooks, making me a non-conformist. I also had the handicap of being a victim of New Math, but at the time that didn’t matter. I was still optimistic and decided I had an equal chance to win as anybody. I looked at the jar carefully, counted, estimated and wrote a number down, putting my guess in the pool with my fellow students.
Sometime later at our assembly for the oldest students, our student council president announced that he would read the winners of the contest. Before the first place winner was announced, he did something unexpected. He said that audience members were to conduct themselves properly and not boo.
That was how I knew I had won, seconds before my name was announced.
That was nearly 40 years ago, but sometimes I still hear his voice in my head, announcing that I was the winner, “And remember, no boos.” I don’t fault him for what happened: I know the faculty had put him up to it. They were trying hard not to hurt me. It still did.
This past week our company held what we call our “town meeting,” in which our senior officers reach out in person and by video to review our status and focus for the coming year. On the way into the meeting the staff had arranged a few fun games, including a candy counting contest. I mentioned that I had won a similar contest in elementary school as I looked at the jar carefully, counted, estimated and wrote a number down, again adding my guess to the others.
The first time, I was two away from the correct number of candies. This time I was spot on. They were as amazed as I. Unlike last time, I got congratulations. That felt much better.
I still have the original candy jug. Now it has company.
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