Leadership and sports

During high school, I chose to do something that genuinely scared me: I stood for the school council elections. After years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to school felt like stepping into unfamiliar territory. I had barely interacted with students younger than me for a long time, and the idea of representing them felt intimidating. The hesitation wasn’t about the election itself—it was about whether I could truly connect with people whose experiences and concerns I no longer fully understood.

Despite that fear, I decided to step forward. Winning the election marked the beginning of a steep learning curve rather than an end goal. Leadership quickly became less about authority and more about empathy. I made a conscious effort to understand the students I represented—placing myself in their shoes, listening to their anxieties, and acknowledging that even in an all-boys school where confidence is often expected, fear and uncertainty still exist beneath the surface.

As the year progressed, I grew into the role. I want all field athletic spots in school, making my own contribution to our house cup. I went on to play state level in shot put after being the only one from my school to win a medal there from my school in the the district level.

I learned how to communicate with authenticity, balance responsibility with approachability, and lead without losing sight of the people behind the title. Our collective efforts paid off when our house won the House Cup, an achievement that reflected teamwork, trust, and shared motivation rather than individual success - The biggest honor for a captain. 

Being awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award was an honour, but more importantly, it affirmed something I discovered through experience: leadership is not about being fearless—it is about acting despite fear, showing up for others, and continuing to grow through responsibility. That realization has stayed with me well beyond the role itself.

The day we won the House Cup - children can be seen in the front with medals across their neck.