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No grounds for arguing as debate club is an invaluable learning experience
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I am a Year 8 student at YCIS, and am one of the junior Prefects. Although I am only in my second year of Secondary school, I have taken part in exciting and memorable activities and competitions, gone through unforgettable obstacles, and participated in once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The most valuable lessons I have learned this year, however, are to believe in myself and to challenge myself to try new things.
This year, I participated in the debate club, hoping to take part in a worldwide competition — the World Scholars Cup. During the research sessions at school, I realized most of my peers and all of my teachers are experienced debaters. They are also skilled researchers, writers, and thinkers. I was a bit worried. On the night before the competition, our teacher told us she was confident in our ability to do well in the contest. Although I planned to give it my best (and I secretly hoped to win some awards), I was still a little hesitant about my abilities.
On the day of the contest, my team members and I gave it our all; engaging in exciting and challenging debates, collaborative essays, tense, and seemingly impossible scholar challenges. We met students from different schools and nationalities, and had the opportunity to compete against teams from all around Shanghai. As we all sat, waiting for the award ceremony to commence, I did not expect any awards; I had already learned a lot, and was content in having gained experience competing at a high-level academic competition.
Can you imagine how I felt when we won five team awards, including 1st place in writing, and 3rd place overall across all competitive areas? We also won eight individual awards, and all of us scored in the top 10 for our events. I was utterly shocked, and filled with joy. I never believed I would step on the stage and receive a trophy that qualified our team to participate in the Asia-wide global round in Singapore.
I have learned to try new things, believe in myself, grab hold of precious opportunities, and accept the challenges placed before you.
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