There is something bittersweet I find being this close to the end. In less than 24 hours I will be leaving behind 2 years of the diploma program and entering into the world of adulthood. High school has been a blur of really good times but also some really bad ones. Something I hadn’t realized until recently is that ever since I can remember, school has been a part of my life. Most of the time it’s been in the background of other things going in my personal life but it has always been there. I can only hope that what I have learned thus far, whether that be how to write a good essay or how to find x squared is enough to help me survive this next phase of life.
What I loved about participating in CAS was that it was a wholistic experience. CAS is not necessarily about grades or anything academic related. It takes focus on the things that happen outside of the classroom that make up the person that you are and are going to become. It helps develop a persons understanding of their interests and passions. It helped me understand what about me is significant outside of the grades I get on my report card.
CAS is so important for developing teenagers and is a program all education systems should adapt. During my time at OSC I picked up a lot of hobbies and learned about so many things I would have never though to try if I wasn’t pushed to try them. Here is a short list of some of the experiences I have had through CAS:
- I gave a TED talk speech about grieve
- I taught myself how to write music and quickly learned that I love to do it
- I read more books
- I Participated in sports such as basketball, volleyball and football and travelled to different countries to play those sports.
- I involved myself in more service oriented activities. I currently working with and will continue to work with Sambol Foundation (a women’s and children’s organization) to raise awareness on the work that they do. I am in the process of writing and publishing an article that interviews victims of sexual abuse and assault.
- I learned how to ride a skateboard
- I experienced what it means to be a leader through leading my service group Housing and Habitat
- I got my first job doing real estate for the US Embassy
- I got over my fear of singing in front of people
- I taught myself how to cook better and
- I danced a traditional Sri Lankan Style dance for a school assembly
- I taught kids how to dance Latin and helped get them out of their comfort zone
- I picked up boxing again and have become more focused on my health among other things.
But there are other things CAS has given me that are not only experienced based. It has gotten me closer to people, taught me how to me a team player, made me realize my passion for service. Given me the change to become closer to my family through interviews for a CAS related project. CAS has given me so many things that I will take with me in my next phase in life and I am very grateful to have participated in it.
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