When we're done with admiring the outcome, don't forget about the the journey. (:

NDP 2008 cheerleading segment: a memorable showcase of teenagers performing a cheerleading item to evoke enthusiasm into the crowd gathered at the Marina Bay Floating Platform to celebrate yet another birthday of Singapore. I'm sure that a large majority of the cheerleaders will agree with me when I say that all the intense training was well worth it when we were rewarded with the load cheerss and clapping of the crowds. A once in a lifetime moment that many will never get the chance to experience. Yes, the outcome was spectacular. However, we should not forget the journey that each and everyone of the cheerleaders undertook to get there.

Honestly speaking, I was invited to join the NDP cheerleaders as my council friend told me that he needed more people to join. At that point of time, I didn't know that I was going to substitute his place as a cheerleader. During the first practice, I felt completely lost in the sea of TPJCians who had friends to accompany them throughout this ordeal. Hence, it was absolutely hard to enjoy the earlier trainings. My anti-social nature only made it more difficult for me to interact with the more enthusiastic cheerleaders. I started to dread trainings and pushed myself by telling myself that it would all end soon.

However, as time passed, I made friends with the friendlier bunch of the cheerleaders. I guess it's hard not to make any friends when you meet them so many times in the week, especially with the weekly saturday practices. The NDP trainings also allowed me to catch up my PAE friends from Anderson Junior College (AJC) as well as some of my friends from Victoria Junior College (VJC). The main point I want to emphasize on is that NDP cheerleading did more that just help me make friends. It essentially chipped off a layer of my anti-social shell that hindered my social life. After going through the NDP experience, I found it slightly easier to talk to people and make friends with them - a skill that will definetely serve me well in the future.

In a nutshell, I really enjoyed this experience and I want to thank everyone who was a part of my journey. As for the teachers who put their time into watching over us, I really appreciated the effort and the encouragement. NDP Cheerleading 2008 is an experience that will always be etched in my heart like an indelible tatoo. Thanks for everything guys. :D

-- Jeremiah Tan