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The immaculate, delighted expressions on our faces really said it all. Emerging onto the stage, faces swayed with
satisfaction, we felt triumphant as the crowd resonated with a paradox of never ending cheers. It was a firm statement
of what we came here for. Three words could sum up the experience: Impeccable, unprecedented and memorable.

It was a normal day, that is, before my football couch in the football club mentioned something
rather unexpected. My conversation with my friends halted abruptly to a stop when my coach said, “There
will be an interschool competition at then end of September, which is approximately two months away.”
Rather impetuously, my friend, Jacob, raised my hand along with his, as though he was eager for me to par-
ticipate in the competition with him. The truth was, albeit liking to play football and being considerably
confident of my skills, I had a tendency to wither like a flower without sunlight in competitive games as I
lacked confidence on the pitch. However, this time, to put things right, I swiftly complied with Jacob’s deci-
sion. “Coach, we would like to participate in the competition,” we said in unison with conviction. Our friends,
seeing our hands raised, eagerly raised theirs too. Soon enough, we had enough people for the competition.

I played as a striker; an offensive role in a game of football. The group discussions about our
positions in game were decided rather quickly as we already had our specific roles during our prac-
tice matches. The next selection, however, did not proceed smoothly as no one wanted to volunteer as the
leader. Faced with this scenario, we decided to settle it with a group vote. The results, however, weren’t
ideal for me. Glancing away, I said: “You want me to lead the group but I don’t think I have the right qual-
ities.” My friends weren’t going to take no as an answer, so I had no choice but to step up to the role.

Naturally, we practiced day by day without fail. We worked on our chemistry as a team and had fun
training together. However, fun can’t ever be everlasting, as we were faced with the inevitable the next day. Unable
to hold back my anxiety any longer, I consulted my parents and asked them for advice. My father, after listening
to my plight, caressed my head and said: “Life is a never ending cycle of surprises. It makes itself interesting, no
matter how good or bad it is. Challenges are brought to you for a purpose, to make life more intriguing, to make
life worth living. Dazai Osamu once said: “Be laughed at, be laughed at and become stronger.” Nobody wants to
be laughed at, but should that ever happen, face it with a broad smile. Succeed, and you will be filled with pride.
Fail, and you’ll be filled brim with despair. Failing with pride, however, is something to be proud of. Fight, with
all your might, and overcome all the obstacles you face, no matter how hard they may be. This is an experience
that should be cherished.” After hearing those words, I came back to my senses and went to sleep without worries.

The day of the competition finally came. Walking onto the pitch, I gave my friends a final push
of motivation, to settle their nerves as they were rather nervous. “Let’s enjoy ourselves.”

Everything that followed subsequently ended in a blink of an eye. We won every single
game we played despite the drama amidst it. When we won the finals by one point to nil, we all screamed
with delight. The stage that was set for us was overcome with glee. We could hear the cheers from our
PROSE (JR2&JR3) : SECOND PLACE schoolmates and also the watching spectators. It would all go down in our lives as something to remember.

T RIGHT QUALITIES As we made our way up the stairs to the stage, the cheers for us gradually became louder, as though we

H OF A were celebrities. Our faces, filled with pride, was a firm statement of what we came to do. My friends congratu-
lated me by saying I was a proper leader. Although I always said the same three words to them before every single
E L E A D E R practice match we played, they were extremely important to my teammates and boosted their confidence and
motivation. Lifting the trophy on behalf of my friends, I spotted my parents’ faces in the crowd, their faces filled
with joy. My father’s face was a smug image of ‘I told you so’. Lifting the trophy towards the sky, the loud cheers
Ervin Soong Kai Wen, JR2E of the spectators coming from all four sides of the stadium, we were in paradise. A fleeting image of my past self
came to mind, and that was when I truly realized that words, however esoteric they are, are very omnipotent.
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