During a break, I found Marianne near a display of student projects.

She was speaking with a parent whose child had not won a medal.

Marianne listened and said, “Finishing a difficult project is still an achievement.

Ask your daughter what she learned, not only where she placed.”

When she turned toward me, there was no devastating smile this time.

Just a polite, familiar expression.

“They’re doing well,” I said.

“They are.”