Аннотация: A characteristic for admission to the university and the Club of youth activists. (Between school and university). Autobiographical story.
A characteristic for admission to the university and the Club of youth activists. (Between school and university). Autobiographical story.
Until 1991, the characteristic [a kind of document] played an important role in entering a higher educational institution.
Of course, the role of the characteristic was great in the late 70s - early 80s of the 20th century.
To obtain a good characteristic, it was necessary to engage in social work.
I don't remember how, as a secondary school student and feeling the prospect of entering a university, I learned about the existence of the city Club of youth activists.
Perhaps I was directed to Club from my school.
In those years, various financial funds for youth were formed. But it was necessary to create the right reasons (bases) for the impeccable spending of money from such funds.
What opportunities of expenses opened the city Club of youth activists?
First, it allowed two adults to be paid, kind of educators. They controlled the students of the senior classes (of secondary school) benevolently.
Secondly, these adults (but young) people organized trips of the Club members with overnight stays and tents to the left bank of the Don.
Thirdly, in one of the summer periods a recreation center [base for a rest] was rented on the left bank of the Don, and the Club went for one or two months (or for the whole summer) to this base for a round-the-clock stay there (with regular meals). Some activists of our age from Bulgaria came (probably by exchange). (We exchanged gifts: we handed badges, and in return we received small bottles of rose oil).
Fourth, the money was spent on buying tickets for travel to other cities. I vaguely remember a trip to the Baltics some summer. There we lived for free in the premises of the schools, which were empty during the holidays.
If in my class the most remarkable personalities were a bicycle fan and a member of the gymnastics section (except for the son of a party boss), then in the Youth Activists' Club I did not memorize anyone except one pupil. He was interested in chemistry.
"Chemist" was studying in detail a thick book (type of a reference book) about toxic substances and made plans for studying at the chemistry faculty and for applying the knowledge gained.
When the Club went to a rented recreation center in the summer, we were all accommodated in double summer rooms.
Sometimes at night (almost everyone lived on the ground floor) we either walked, or went swimming, or paid visits to each other.
Some kind of company has formed around the "chemist". He covered the windows of his room with opaque photographic paper. Once, during a night hike, I saw the door to the balcony suddenly opening from the room of "chemist". There was a company in his room. He, having jumped out of his room, grabbed me with both hands. It all ended with some kind of laughter.
I didn't remember among members of the Club any other notable personalities who were passionate about something.
During a trip to the Baltics, we, a students of the senior classes (of a secondary school), actively played royal poker (a simple household matches were stakes) and drank cheap plum wine.
We (I) did not understand the meaning of those historical places that we may have seen in the Baltic states. In general, practically nothing from this trip has remained in my memory.
I remember the word: "Trakai". Have we visited Trakai?
Locals looked at us with surprise and irritation in public transport - we drove with a cassette recorder loudly functioning.
After one of the evenings with poker and plum wine, the "chemist" decided to show his skills as an athlete and jumped up (as high as possible) and tried to kick me in the back with both feet. But, as luck would have it, at that moment I turned around. The jump was unsuccessful, and the "chemist" fell to the floor.
Again it all ended with laughter.
A special large bright room was allocated for the permanent work of the Club.
Hoping to increase my rating, I found (through my father) an exclusive map of Rostov of a huge size - with an indication of the location of each house. The map was a hint of some special abilities and connections.
They hung this map on the wall. The map served as a kind of confirmation that we, the members of the Club, are engaged in useful activities - otherwise why do we need such a solid map?
All members of the Club regarded the map with respect.
But one of the Club members, apparently, decided that the map was causing too much attention, and drew or circled something on it with a ballpoint pen.
I realized that I can't earn a solid reputation by providing exclusive maps.
Gradually, both I and other members of the Club left a school age.
I got the required characteristic and entered the university.
One or two people - from among those with whom I met in the Club - I later met in adulthood. No shared memories emerged.
The club disappeared somewhere, as did its members.
In general, the recreation center on the left bank of the Don remained in my memory, rest (vacation) on it in summer days and tall green poplars, pupils who came from Bulgaria ...
August 17, 2021 13:21
Translation from Russian into English: August 17, 2021 14:45.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Характеристика для поступления в вуз и Клуб молодежных активистов. (Между школой и вузом). Автобиографический рассказ'.