Co-Curricular Activities
Hi! Club [Sign Language Club]
2018 - 2019
What I did:
Hi! Club is a club that advocates for the deaf. In this club, we learn about the Deaf culture and learn sign language (SEE II). The club also allows us to participate and help out in events for the deaf such as the National Deaf Games. Hi! Club also holds events such as the Hi! Club Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony for club members to showcase what they have learned through song signing. These events also give the deaf a platform to enjoy music through song signing.
Challenges I faced and how I overcame them:
During Closing Ceremony, every class has to pick songs to song sign and as for me, as I was in the intermediate level, my class was also tasked to film a deaf awareness video. After everything was planned out and the film script was out, our class instructors asked us who wanted to be the coordinator for planning out the filming dates and ensuring the smoothness of the whole filming process. The class went silent for more than a minute. Thus, I took the initiative to be the coordinator and I set up a google calendar for everyone to note in the dates that they were not free.
Result:
The filming process went smoothly and everyone who were needed in each scene were present during the days of filming.
What I learned:
Through this experience, I learned how sometimes we have to take the initiative to do things in order for things to be able to be done.
Through Hi! Club I learned more about the Deaf culture. For example, I learned that ‘Deaf’ with the capital letter ‘D’, refers to the Deaf culture while ‘deaf’ with the lower-case "d" refers solely to hearing loss. I also learned about sign language and I can now use simple sign language to converse with a deaf individual.
Bedok South Secondary School Choir
2014 - 2017
What I did:
My choir, Bedok South Secondary School choir, is a show choir in which sometimes when we sing, we will sing with actions or simple dance moves. In the choir, we participate in many chorale events and many combined choir concerts. We have also participated in the Singapore Youth Festival and have held our very own concert. Events such as choir camps, Secondary one welcome events and farewell parties are also held. My choir is a SSA choir and I sing the part of Soprano One. With that, I was given a chance to sing a solo part for the choir in ‘The Big Stage’ concert.
Challenges I faced and how I overcame them:
When I was chosen to sing the solo part for the choir, I felt that I would not be able to sing loud enough for the whole concert hall to hear. I also had problems of knowing when to start singing. Thus, I started to doubt my own abilities.
Result:
However, through practice and by deciding to push myself out of my comfort zone, my hard work paid off on that day and I sung every note loudly. I also managed to sing on time and in the beat of the song.
What I learned:
This experience taught me that I have to believe and trust in myself, that I am stronger than I think I am. I also learned that if I put my heart and effort to practice or learn or work on something, I will be able to master it, whatever it is.