For five years, I’ve thrown myself enthusiastically at any and every inter-house activity, earning my own little victories and successes along the way – knitting my first square, winning the medley relay, breaking my personal track and field records – but, strangely, what I consider to be my biggest success began as a failure.

Even as a year 7, I was drawn to KGV’s strong music department. Later in the year, I joined the inter-house music ensemble and loved the experience; I was especially struck by the music captains’ effective leadership, and I’ve aspired to become like them ever since.

I’d always considered music to be my strong suit, so I was greatly disappointed when I applied but was not chosen for the position. Nevertheless, I couldn’t stay away – I arranged music, organized rehearsals and encouraged participation anyway, and was eventually appointed music vice-captain.

When the results of the competition were announced, and our junior and senior ensembles came first and second respectively, I realized that a position does not a leader make; rather, it is through participation, humility, and a willingness to face any challenge that a leader is truly defined.

I’m also a student leader at a youth group I attend. This means I help organize activities, perform chores, and try to serve as a role model for others. One week, our adult leaders all went on vacation, leaving us to run an entire session on our own. Naturally, this was a horrifying prospect: fielding 60 youths and running a night of activities was difficult even with our adult leaders.

Regardless, we prepared as best we could. I became the designated emcee, responsible for introducing the night’s activities. I went in to the night fearing the worst, but the night ended with people coming up in tears, thanking us for the wonderfully inspirational night.

I’ve hosted every week since, and I’m still astonished by how far I’ve come since that first night and truly glad that I took that chance.