What does NDP(National Day Parade) mean to most of you? It might be another ordinary parade set up annually to celebrate our nation's "birthday"(if that's what you called it), or rather, to commemorate the number of years our nation flag be able to seen flying successfully, since we gained independent in 1965. It might just seemed to be an annual routine, and some might just be looking forward for the 2 days holiday that come with it. Perhaps, i was like any one of you in the past, but, it's never the same after i joined NDP cheerleading in 2008.

When i saw the online announcement made in our school, that they were recruiting cheerleaders for NDP 2008, i was truly fascinated. Though I've never join in any kind of cheerleading before, it have been something that i am interested in and have a passion for, since years ago. Thus, this is a hard to come by golden opportunity for me. What's more was that i got the chance to participate in the NDP performance, even though it might just be a pre-parade performance. Hence, i signed up with my friends.

Practices and rehearsals were really tiring and tough, and since a few of us live rather far from school, we always reached home really late and left little time for homework(and often burn midnight oil in the process). But it is a learning experience for us, in a way too, as it helped me to realise the importance of time management and and get to learn how to utilise my time to the fullest. And this also help us be mentally prepared for the society, as this might be how's working life going to be and maybe even considered as nothing of a big deal, compared to the life of a working adult. Furthermore, through these trainings, practices and rehearsals, i get to meet lots of new people, making new friends in the process.

To be honest, i indeed encountered a little "setback" for me in the event, tears and sadness overcome me are unavoidable, but i faced it bravely, without making a fuss out of it or decided to quit (like some did). And at the end of the day, i realise it was perhaps, a blessing in disguise, as in the event, i actually get to learn more stunts than my fellow cheerleading mates, such as stunt like being a "flyer", "base" etc. And through this, it's a teaching that life is never a bed of roses, ups and downs are part n parcels of life. Only if we are determined enough, we are then able to survive the ordeal, and after that, we can be a better person for tomorrow. Hence, i strongly agree that through NDP cheerleading, it taught and instilled us with values such as resilience, perseverance, determination and teamwork.

All in all, NDP cheerleading was a wonderfully fond memory to me. Sweat and perhaps tears were also shed in the event, but after all, i guess i never regret joining, staying(even though friends who joined with me quited after 1 practice), and persevered on. And on a lighter note, i really thanks our trainer Ken and his assistance (sorry to have forgot your name), from Temasek Polytechnic(TP) cheerleading team, to teach us, guide us and helping us perfect our moves, and making the process enjoyable and happening; Ms Tan for all her time and effort and monetary support given; all the other teachers n staff, who had accompanied us to some of our trainings and rehearsals; and not forgetting Ms Choo, who decided to accept the invitation to participate in the NDP 2008 performance. Without all the people mentioned, and of course my fellow simply wonderful cheerleading mates, this will never be made possible. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone! *11 claps* =))


would sure to treasure these moments,
xinwei =_^