Having made the first move, Mrs. Alice Kotake awaits and braces for her comeback. She waits, and waits, and then she waits some more. She relishes in the success of her diabolical plan to have Mr. Edward Sawada placed in the spotlight or fool’s chair. Yes, that was him: “Sawada for Governor.”

Is it mere competition or all out war? Or maybe it’s just something to pass the time. The whole thing may seem like a gag or a practical joke that one teacher is playing against the other. Don’t get any wild ideas because that’s just what it is, a practical joke. Yet, to Mrs. Kotake and Mr. Sawada, it’s past that. It has survived the limits of time (six to eight years) and has become more of a traditional, ritualistic affair.

Says Mrs. Kotake, “We’re both very busy people, but when we find the time, we play a joke on each other.”

Already this year, Mrs. Kotake has found the time to campaign. ‘Mr. Sawada for Governor’ with her AP English students. According to Mrs. Kotake, “this was the best year I’ve had success with my prank. He (Sawada) was caught off guard with the campaigning and the sign waving in the morning before school and thought that was the end of the prank. Then he started to get nervous when he saw the ‘Sawada for Governor’ banner during the pep rally.”

She adds, “Finally, we gave him the big finale with the surprise campaign party in the end.” She giggles.

Mrs. Kotake admits that she’s enjoyed these practical jokes on Mr. Sawada. She tagged him as “Adolf” one year, the class marching in as Nazis and making fun of his teaching. Another year, it was her PIP class dressed up in Halloween costumes.

The joke isn’t the only purpose, however. “The man thing is that the visiting class (attackers) entertain the host class (victims). We bring food and drink as well as costumes and hoopla.”

She agrees with Mr. Sawada in that these pranks bring her students closer together and that the annual ritual is all in fun.

As modest as Mrs. Kotake is, she even made a hint that the edge was hers. “I believe I have the upper hand in this. He only beats me in door decorations, that’s all.”

So we have heard from both sides, Mrs. Kotake and Mr. Sawada. Who knows what will happen next? Mrs. Kotake may go up two to zero and steal his chairs or plaster his walls. Or Mr. Sawada may get even with…Who knows?

But until then, she waits…