I've usually been an ardent participant in the cultural events at my school. They've always been a great platform to expose us to many other peers at my school and connect with them. Here's my journey through the years.
Class 9
When I was in class 9, we had a Culturals post-lockdown. I was part of the Thomas House back then. I wanted to participate in Lawyer's Up, but was pitted (and selected) for Shipwreck instead due to lack of participants. I was instantly mortified as I didn't know a lot about personalities. So, I tried to study up a lot of them on internet, both fictional and real — MCU, Agents of SHIELD, Modi, etc. The list went on and on.
At the same time, I was also put in the "Tent Decoration" event, which was never my cliche. However, I got to learn a lot about design and contributed to the software part of the event, which included creating videos and soundtracks. Then again, it was of no use as the instructions weren't clear, and we were deducted points. The Rua House clearly won, due to their "Chinese" themed decoration.
That dampened my spirits and made my spirit hungry for resounding success. Thus, with great articulation, ideas and fervor; I won the Shipwreck event! (Came as a shock to me, because that was the first time I participated in it.)
Class 10
Sports Day
Sports Day was a huge thing in our school. Still sore from the defeat in the tent decoration event, I took it to heart that I must somehow make Bosco House (my team) win. During the days of practice, I took to the helm and fervently trained my team in doing March-past properly. Then for the tent decoration event, I was asked to create "posters" for Bosco House. And I spent one whole night trying to make the perfect poster.
In the end, our house won Sports Day. The captains first handed the cup over to me and asked me to lead the victory lap. Oh my god, that felt great!
Culturals
By the next culturals, my importance had become well known. I was regarded as the de facto captain of the Bosco House. I decided to participate in the debate competition. At the same time, I stumbled upon our Category 3 mime students and saw their play… and gave them a few pointers. The teachers appointed me to preside over the play as its student head. I even did the technical stuff, like creating the soundtrack for the mime. Still, the mime guys won 2nd place!
In my fire-on debate, my charisma and enthusiasm helped my team win 1st place in the Debate! However, I flopped in Shipwreck, and didn't get to win any place for that.
Class 11
Sports Day
This time around, I was put in Thomas House. I personally hate Thomas house because I have never got a prize while I was in that house for five years. This time round, I was asked personally to help my team perform in sports day and they asked me to guide them to train them in March past. My charisma and my vigour made all the others in my house — except for my classmates and class 12 — to believe that I was the captain of the house.
Long story short, we didn't win that sports day. We actually lost and that sports day we only got the award of being the best disciplined house. So we geared up for Culturals.
Culturals
The Culturals was epic that time. However I wasn't allowed to participate in my event of choice, Lawyer's Up, as I was regarded to be "younger". I was assigned to take care of Lawyer's Up, while I was asked to participate in a Digital Poster Making Event. My protégée for Lawyer's Up was Ms. Riann Maria Christus. I gave her some tips and we did some mock cases. My teammates for the Poster Making Competition and I won the first prize. Riann ended up getting third in her own event.
I also participated in the Magnum Opus event and got 2nd place in the Essay Competition. My school overall won 2nd place!
Class 12
Sports Day
Well, this time round, I didn't wanna participate, in order to focus on my studies. I submitted a letter stating that information to the Principal. He accepted it. Later on, someone unilaterally "reinterpreted" the situation and ensured that my entire section wasn't allowed to participate in Sports Day and Culturals. This blew up and became a big issue, and I earned the badwill of every student in my grade.
Later on, through much deliberation, my section was allowed to volunteer for Sports Day. We weren't allowed to participate in the ceremonial March-past event. This decision was only made 2 days before Sports Day.
Culturals
My section was allowed to participate in Culturals. And with much fervour too! It was supposed to be our last Culturals in school. I was assigned, as the senior batch of the group, to take care of a few events… I ended up taking care of 7 events, participating in the decision-making, guidance up to the finals.
And surprise, surprise… we got a prize in all of them:
- Shipwreck — Allanson — 3rd Place
- Newsreading (Selection) — 1st Place — Ayaan
- Spin a Yarn — 3rd Place
- Room Decoration — 2nd Place
- Youth Parliament — 2nd Place
- Declamation Speech — 3rd Place
That's culturals to you. An unforgettable journey that shaped who I am today.