Page 9 - KCMAGAZINE 20230717
P. 9

Michael is a firm believer that cultivating an  been a year's worth of work, and no matter how it
            environment free from judgement and scrutiny  turns out, I hope you're proud of your efforts. ”
 Michael Ng  provides freedom for writers to express themselves  With that said, we would like to thank Michael for

                                                              the insightful interview and we wish him all the best
            and have their ideas be openly discussed.

                    With “Voices'' being the theme of our     in his future endeavours!
 Golden Figures:  magazine, we asked Michael to provide his take


 A Talk With One of the   on marginalised voices of our school. As more of
 Magazine's Finest  us grow accustomed to the system we are placed
            under, Michael thought that the reason why
            most of us trivialise our struggle is not because of

            tangible barricades, but because the internalised
    “Now stronger, dazzling brighter than   way at times and wished he did not let it get the   systems within that are fuelled by shame. Michael

 ever.” Recalling a “golden” (literally “Kintsugi”  best of him, but was grateful for all the roadblocks   encouraged students to utilise the comment board
 themed) era, we invited one of the most amazing   he faced regardless.  on the school website to let their voices be heard.
 and now-graduated editors, Michael Ng, for an   By fostering an open-minded teaching system and

 interview regarding his past experiences with the   “Be creative, do what you want to do, but also   encouraging students to speak up, Michael further
 magazine publication in 2020, and to get his take   just be patient and trust the process, don't try to   elaborated on ways to tackle the said issue.
 on the 2022 magazine's theme, "Voices".  force or rush things excessively. Trust your team,

 ask for help when you need it and tap out if you      There is more in life than exams and
 “When I went back the other day, the school felt   can't handle it. Your wellbeing comes first.” Take   grades, high school students nowadays are
 so familiarly unfamiliar. Guess it's just a part of   it straight from an ex-editor to the future teams.   constantly facing unprecedented challenges. At
 growing older.” As a newly graduated student,   Michael explained that working while stressed can   this stage of life, Michael thought that finding
 Michael found himself missing the friends   make people resent their work, advising future   yourself is of utmost importance. Finding your

 and teachers he had had to part with. Even so,   editorial members to take it easy at times.  own niches and searching for your tribe are small
 Michael's presence still lingers as the type of senior   steps towards self-realisation.
 who always tried his best and would eventually      Meanwhile on the topic of the recent

 succeed at whatever he put his mind to. He was   online magazine distribution, Michael thought      Once entrapped in a constant cycle of
 active in co-curricular activities and excelled   it to be fairly convenient and customizable albeit   tough school syllabus, co-curricular activities,
 in writing, which was particularly apparent in   having been opposed to it at first, especially since   high expectations and interpersonal ties, there is
 his work for the school magazine and articles.   online magazines can be shared and distributed   no denying that Michael knows a thing or two
 He especially cherished the fun collaborative   with ease.  when it comes to mental health problems. Michael

 experiences and skills he learned when directing      advised students to have a strong support system
 the production of the magazine.     Besides the shift in magazine publication   and ask for help whenever life feels suffocating.
 method, freedom of artistic expression within   Never be shy to ask for help whenever one needs

    However, as a student with various tasks   school writers is another controversial topic. “I   it.
 to juggle, Michael did find it challenging to   think that high school is the phase in life where
 manage his school life while keeping cool with the   we're all just figuring things out, so we're bound to      To wrap up our interview, we asked
 publications. He found his own ego getting in the   have weird, tacky, or just plain cringy ideas.”         Michael for his final words for our writers. “It's   Photo by Ooi Le  Qi


 05                                                                                                              06
   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14