Saturday, September 02, 2006
This is my originally super long speech that i wrote; ahha i realise i can be really naggy :) But i still love my PSLs all the same! I'll really miss working with my wacky psls and hanging out with them. Oh mann.. how quickly time has passed by. I definitely feel very old rite now, i'm 16. Its like you feel super senior when u see your juniors ard you. TSK. i'm facing teenage life crisis?LOL. I'm gonna miss Cedar really badly..but well, memories are for keepsake :)
Before I begin proper, I would like to dedicate my speech to some significant people who have been supportive of me throughout this year. Firstly, to my Peer Support Board 05-06,who have been there with me through thick and thin, to my classmates from Sec 4N,thank you for the moral support given whenever I felt down & out & finally, to my fellow trackers, especially the sec 4s, my pillar of strength & support.
Life is made up of experiences and what I’m doing here today is to share my experiences of being the head of the Peer Support board over the past year or so. This experience has allowed me to gain much, but has also taught me that sacrifices are necessary in ensuring that the board is run smoothly. I am glad however that the sacrifices I’ve made have not only proven to be worthwhile and beneficial, but has also enabled me to improve consistently to deal with situations that are no longer simply about me, but involve a greater amount of people whom I am responsible for.
Whenever someone asks for my position in the board, I reply “I am the head of a body.” Literally, I am the head of my PSB. However, a head will not be able to function well without its body. Each and every part of the body plays a major role in contributing to the smooth running of the body system. A person born without hands will not be able to work as well as a person born normally. Likewise, without my fellow PSLs alongside me, the PSB would not have grown and thrive over the past years.
As the literal head of the PSL board, I have been expected to look out for each and everyone of those under me, listen and absorb all the comments and opinions the teachers and students have of my PSLs, sniff out all potential problems my PSLs might face when they carry out a certain project and assist them in solving these problems. Besides all that, I feel the pain for them when they lose their confidence in themselves when the obstacle is too difficult to overcome. I’m also the nagger, the old lady that has to keep reminding them of the dos and don’t. Last but not least, I have to think. To think of the welfare of my PSLs, to think of how to act on the comments given, and to think of how we can become better as a whole PSB. As time passes, such thoughts have become an integral part of my life.
Many of whom I know think that being the head of a certain body is an easy job. They, however fail to realise how tough it really is to be expected to perform all the time- To be the best, or at least to be the best example others can follow. I would be lying if I said it was an easy job, and I’m sure the chairpeople of the various bodies would be able to empathise with me. We all know how long it takes to plan a project and how much a shorter time is needed to execute it. Likewise, it is much easier to impress others through event but difficult to keep up the impressive performance everyday. I am not faultless and I am unable to be the perfect leader, or the one that others go ‘wow’ at everyday.
I have been chosen from many to take up this responsibility, to be the one that many should look up to. I have the board’s reputation and most importantly, the school’s reputation at stake if I under performed and failed meet up to certain requirements.
Choices have consequences. This is one favourite quote of mine that I have been sharing with my fellow PSLs, and even my outdoor adventure instructors. I strongly feel that every choice taken has its consequences. As for me, my choice was to become the leader of the PSB, and through that, I learnt to faced up to adversity.
Through being the main leader do I also learn some enriching values that I feel is applicable in life.
Life is like a rubber band. We need to ‘stretch’ ourselves and go beyond our comfort zone & capabilities to discover new frontiers as well as gain more knowledge. As we ‘stretch’ ourselves beyond our own capabilities, we are able to discover more about ourselves and understand our abilities. I discovered this through the obstacles and challenges that I faced for this whole year.
Of course, to every beginning there is an end to it. My journey as chairman has not always been comfortable; I have faced rocky paths as well as smooth-sailing ones. I have played my role and taken my responsibility as chairman and it is up to my successor to complete it. I have finally reached my destination and it has come to an end. I would like to thank you to all once again .To my new PSB Exco & PSLs, remember to be like your mascot; Rise like a phoenix from the ashes. Thank you!
reminiscing
11:42 AM <3
(:
