Something for everyone.SYF 2007 - Malay Cultural Society
I've been performing for the school for the past 4 years in KC. Every performance gives me the adrenaline rush.
I feel proud to hear cheers and applause everytime we malay dancers leave the stage. However, nothing excites me more than
the Singapore Youth Festival. The competition where it would determine how your school stands.
This year's SYF was a tad bit different from the previous year. There were new people, new steps and a new location of performance.
The trainings were more hectic and tiring. With my secondary 4 schedule, it gets more tiring but nothing could get in my way
of getting that Gold for the school(with the help of the team of course). Practices became a boot camp. I remember after days of
staying in school practising until 6pm, we decided that the day before the actual performance, we should stay until 9pm!
It was an interesting experience though. We had to get the costumes ready, the awfully long 'red cloth', perfect our dance steps,
standardise our routine, and be mentally and physically ready for the next day.
10th April 2007, we had to be dismissed from class at 9am. I could barely wait, I just felt like leaving my Art class and start
preparing! Our performance was due to start at 3.45pm. I imagined the clock ticking away and how I'm not doing anything to prepare.
I kept staring at my watch and waiting. As soon as the minute hand touches the 12, I asked to be dismissed immediately. I was
too excited. As this is my second time performing for SYF, I pretty much had the rough idea on how it would feel like.
I met my team and we began preparing. Costumes, make-up, hairdo. All of that had to be done by 2.45pm! The gym was a very busy place.
I had to help out with doing the hair. It didn't matter to me that I was breathing aerosol everywhere I spray, all that
mattered to me was how gorgeous they will look like on stage. We had our lunch after everyone was fully dressed and went back to
the hall for our very last practice.
With the help of Feng Ou, we had the hall speakers blasting our song. Soon, our bus arrived. Everyone was getting more and more excited.
I guess Mdm Raudah and Mdm Sara also felt our excitement but I think they were more worried for us than we were worried for ourselves!
As we arrived at NUS, we saw a few groups who were performing before us. We took a few group pictures and finalise our look.
The other groups looked as nervous as we were. Ten minutes later, we called up to go backstage. We were asked to stand at a spot and
not move around and make noise. We saw a group performing and told ourselves, "We can do it!"
When it was our turn, we wished each other the best of luck and took our positions on and off stage. I realised I could see the audience and
judges. I became very very nervous but I decided it will not get to me. We danced, we impressed and we went back feeling
satisfied. Mdm Zakiah said ours was a GOld standard but little did we know...
12th April 2007, results day. I had to wait until school ended at 2.15pm to hear the results. It was Biology period and my
class was in the AVA Theathrette when I heard an announcement for the Malay Dancers. A few of us met in the Music Room along with
Mdm Raudah, Mdm sara, Mdm Zakiah and Miss Lam. The atmosphere was solemn. I knew it was going to be a disappointing news but then
again, who knows, they could be surprising us. As Miss Lam told us that we received a Bronze Award, tears began streaming down our
cheeks especially us seniors. We expected a better award as we received a Silver Award during the previous SYF.
The teachers comforted us. We could feel their disappointment too. We were given another chance to perform our piece during EMDD.
We were thankful.
As I look back on those two days, I feel that a Bronze is still an award. I believe that our team has achieved a better award.
An award that no matter how many practices could perfect it. Our bond had made us closer each day we meet up for practice, each
day sharing the same passion. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank ALL the teachers, especially Mdm Raudah, and
ALL our friends who have guided us along the way. Thanks to the Malay Dancers who took the courage to perform. I am sure the
juniors would make KC proud.
Sufie Munira Bte Khalil
Secondary 4/3 2007
This one right, Alysha?
xoxo
5:19 PM
