A year ago, as I sat through my school’s Prize Giving Day, I remember thinking to myself…next year, that’ll be me! There was a girl who was brilliant, talented in so many different areas, and a wonderful person to be around. She was winning practically all types of prizes that could possibly be won! From academic prizes, to leadership prizes, to sports prizes and special awards that the school gives to outstanding students. I heard later on that her mother had cried at watching her daughter receive prize after prize after prize! It came as a surprise to her; she had not been informed beforehand.

And I thought to myself, I know The Secret. Next year, that will be me!!

I started out by running for the captaincy of my house. In all my years at the school, there have never been more than two candidates vying for the spot. This year, there were five!!! One of them had previously been Vice Captain so she had a definite advantage over the rest of us. I prepared my campaign speech, rehearsed it over and over again, then delivered it when the time came. Two weeks later, results were released and I found out I had won!!

Then came the school Public Speaking Competition. Again I signed up for it. I’d never taken part before, but I was determined to do it…so I prepared my speech, rehearsed it over and over again with the help of friends and classmates who greatly encouraged me and gave suggestions. Then guess what?! I won first place!

I had been a member of the basketball team for three years already but the general trend was that seniors would quit in their final year to concentrate on their studies. I didn’t. I was determined to be loyal to the end while still maintaining my grades. I stuck it out to the end, and it was not a choice I regret.

As I write this, yesterday was my final Prize Giving Day! I graduated from high school, at last! I won a prize for loyalty to the basketball team! I received my trophy for first place in Public Speaking. I got an academic award for being the best student in French. I received a certificate for serving the school as a house captain. My house received a total of four sports awards. Then, most surprising of all, I won the most prestigious prize in my school, one that has not been awarded for the past four years because in all that time, no one in the senior classes had been found ‘worthy’ of receiving it. It is awarded to an all-round student who gets along with both teachers and students, has an exemplary academic record, actively takes part in school activities, and basically represents everything that the school stands for and everything that the school tries to make the students be by the end of their time in high school. I had been without words ever since I discovered I was to receive that prize!

It was an amazing moment when I received it. I got a standing ovation not only from my fellow students but from the teachers and all present as well. Best of all, at that moment, my mummy cried. She was so proud!!

Now, I have decided that this year I shall study a double degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at Oxford University in the UK. I have already started planning every single detail…my college (St. John’s); I’ve envisioned the perfect roommate, my dorm room, the sports I’ll take part in…etc.

This time next year, 2013, I’ll be back, writing about all my Oxford experiences and the journey it took to get there. Can’t wait!

Till then, always remember…what the mind can conceive, it can ACHIEVE!