Home > Terms > English, UK (UE) > Catastrophe award

A paper award given to an 8-year-old school girl named Cassandra Garcia for having the most excuses for not having her homework done. Her teacher from the Desert Springs Academy in Tucson, Arizona announced the special award in front her entire third grade class on May 18, 2012. The award document, which resembles a colourful card, contained the following message: "You're Tops! Catastrophe Award. Awarded to Cassandra Garcia. For Most Excuses for Not Having Homework."

Shocked by the catastrophe award, the girl's mother accused the teacher of bullying on local TV, and said her daughter was humiliated by the incident because all the children were laughing at her.