The End

The last two years were the most unusual, unexpected, and scariest moments of my school life. I joined a new school, started the IB Diploma, experienced a global pandemic, and then there was CAS; Creativity, Activity, and Service.

It was anything but ordinary, but my CAS journey has been a fulfilling one. The Covid 19 pandemic and other obstacles didn’t make it a smooth one but it was a learning experience. I will take this CAS journey into my future as I venture into the next chapter of my life.

• Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Knowing what and where you did wrong is the key to improvement. As I engaged in activities, achieving this goal compelled me to reflect on my actions and criticize myself. As a swimmer, I would examine lap times, or at basketball, I would reflect on how I performed under pressure, or, to singing, where I would listen to recordings over and over again. I found what I was good at and what I needed to work on.

• Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

All of the activities I took part in came with their own challenges. Forming a band with my friends and performing in the Battle of the Bands Competition and the J.I.A Foundation Fundraiser was one of the biggest challenges I faced during CAS. I learned new skills in the process because singing and performing were very new to me. In addition, my CAS project tested my photography abilities and gave me the opportunity to learn and improve.

• Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

My CAS Project was one of the highlights of my journey where I engaged in extensive planning and communication with my project partners. We were able to successfully execute the Colombo Dance Project through a great deal of organization. Furthermore, the Hope for Kids service group had to reassess and plan the year differently as a result of COVID-19.

• Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Before the pandemic, I was regularly involved in swimming both with the school team and a private coach. In the last two years, I have been actively a part of my service group Hope for Kids, and I would to the gym 2-3 times a week.

• Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

In Football and Basketball, you cannot achieve your goal without working as a team. Throughout my two years, I have gained the most skills and experience in collaborative working through my participation in team sports. Furthermore, working in collaboration with Ashvini and Matthew on the Colombo Dance Project made it a successful endeavor.

• Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

My involvement in Hope for Kids has opened up my eyes to issues of global significance. Child cancer is a growing concern all over the world and its effects on the lives of the children were made clear to me after joining the group. Working towards making the kids happy and helping their lives even just a little bit easier is greatly fulfilling. In addition, having the opportunity to participate in a student-led J.I.A fundraiser was educational and inspiring.

• Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Recognition of the ethics of my choices was done throughout my DP years. Whether it would be to think about the outcome of the play I make in football or my timing in swiming, its effects were carefully considered. Likewise, the pandemic inflicted lifestyle changes that were made to my daily life to keep not only myself but the others around me safe.

As this period of my life comes to a close, I will end with the words of Dr. Seuss,

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."