Winners of A.C.T.S Essay Writing Competition 6th theme: (SUCCESS)

1st: Wang Xin Yan Lloyd, 13, Victoria Sec

The Swim That Changed Everything

 He swam with all his might till his arms and legs were on fire, but he did not care. He was filled with an overwhelming confidence that this would be the one. It was Tony’s final chance to qualify for the upcoming swimming competition. “I can do this!” he told himself, edging closer and closer to the end. His instructor was waiting in anticipation and was holding a stopwatch in his hand. When Tony managed to slap his hand onto the wall, he was having mixed feelings of joy and nervousness. With butterflies in his stomach, Tony climbed over the edge of the swimming pool and glanced at the stopwatch. “1 minute and 43 seconds! That’s a massive 8 seconds away from the qualifying time!” The instructor yelled to Tony. Tony was shocked to have done so badly. Disappointedly, he retreated to the showers.

 ”I’m such a pathetic loser!” Tony cried, pounding his fist onto the table. His parents had brought him out for lunch that day to ease his anger and disappointment. “Do not ever say that!” Tony’s mother assured him in a comforting tone. Tears streamed down Tony’s cheeks. His parents could only console him and offer him water for he refused to eat. When they went back home, Tony rushed into his room and locked himself in. He only came out during dinner and returned to sleep at night.

 The next day, when Tony returned home from school, his mother was excitedly waiting for him at the sofa. She rushed towards him and handed him a piece of paper. Tony received it and read, “Public Swimming Competition! Venue: Tiong Bahru Swimming Complex, Date : 30th July” His mother exclaimed, “Isn’t it wonderful? The competition date is around two and half months from now! You still have time to train for it! Go for it!” She broke into smiles and gave a thumbs up to Tony. Tony, still affected by his horrible failure the previous day, ignored her and went into his room. “What’s wrong?” his mother queried, confused. She sat beside him on his bed. “I can’t do it! I’m a terrible failure and I always will be.” Tony said. He hid his face in his hands and fought back his tears.

 His mother patted him on the back and said softly, “To me, and to everyone else in this family, you are the fastest swimmer in our hearts.” She then walked back to the kitchen and went to prepare lunch.

That night, as Tony slept, he dreamed about the inspirational words which his mother had told him. “I must stay strong” Tony told himself. “As people say, failure is the mother of success, and I can’t let this destroy the passion in me!”

The next day, Tony turned up at his neighbourhood swimming complex with his private instructor. His instructor ruffled his hair and told him to keep up the spirit. Tony nodded his head and went ahead to practise. At the first few laps which the instructor had timed, there was a remarkable improvement in his timing. He gradually improved over the next few tries and the instructor was delighted. At the end of the day, Tony was exhausted and returned home to do his homework. His mother asked,” So how was your training with Mr. Lim?” Tony could only say, “Great,” for he was too tired to say anything else.

For the next two and a half months, Tony was going to the gymnasium regularly to maintain his fitness levels. He was also going for swimming training thrice every week. The other four days were spent to keep up in his studies and to spend time with his family. He was determined to do well in his swimming competition he was going to participate in. He worked hard consistently every training and was steadily quickening his time before eventually breaking the time limit needed to qualify for the competition. Tony was ecstatic when he heard the news. He was then even more determined to work harder and go faster.  Soon, his strokes went at a faster rate and his kicks were more powerful than before. His parents often brought him to places to eat nutritional food to boost his energy.

On the day of the competition, his whole family was there to support him. As he put on his swimming gear, Tony’s heart was pounding like a drum. He was extremely nervous for he had trained so hard for it and did not want to disappoint everyone where it mattered most. He put on his goggles and got ready for the starting horn to sound. It had seemed like an eternity before the horn sounded. When it did, Tony jumped into the water and swam like a madman. He exerted all his energy into his arms and legs and pushed himself to his limits. He kicked, pulled and swam with all his might. When he reached the other end of the pool, he touched it and kicked the wall swiftly. As he glided through the water, he could hear the vague cheers from the spectators as they approached the end. Tony held his breath and swam with all the remaining energy he had.

A sharp pain pierced through his ankle when he was almost fifteen metres to closing. He was horrified. “Didn’t I warm up just a while ago? Why do I have a cramp now? Must have been the intense training,” Tony thought, now only swimming with his two hands. He swam vigorously and was fighting to maintain his position in the race. By now, the spectators were noticing his weird strokes and were increasingly aware that he was having a cramp on his left ankle. Tony’s mother gasped in bewilderment as Tony slowly made his way to the finish, losing out to several swimmers in the meantime.

He finally touched the wall, only to find that he has come in sixth. The spectators rose to their feet and applauded Tony for his marvelous effort. Tony got out of the pool with the help of fellow competitors. He realized that he had gained something more than success – an euphoria for putting his best foot forward, an experience of a lifetime.

2nd: Rebecca Reavley, 15, Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary)

In My Eyes

My mommy said success was when you get a lot of money from the bank. She said that when I grow up, I must work in a big big company and have a big big house, then she will have a big big smile. I always wonder why she never smiles at daddy when he comes home. Mommy would always go to her room when she sees him at the door. I always ask her why but she say it is nothing. When I ask daddy, he will always frowns and asks me to go watch TV. In the morning he always uses a red marker to draw on the newspaper. He always wears a tie outside and holds a file with many papers and his picture inside. He looks very successful so I do not know why mommy is always so angry with him.

It has been a while since I have seen my dad smile. Whenever he returns home, my mom will stare and slam the metal gate shut behind him. He finally got a job but she still seems upset.  Apparently he was unemployed for a while and it was lucky he even found a company to work in. I do not understand why he would have such trouble as all my friend’s dads work in big offices at Orchard road. To them an employed dad is nothing to brag about. Even though he has an income, my mom still will not let me buy a hand phone. It is so unfair. To me, our lifestyle sucks as I cannot even go shopping or buy what my friends can.

Recently, my dad has been promoted. He is now in a managerial position. My mother smiled when he broke the news to her. It was one of the rare changes in her solemn face that I chose to ignore. It seems that only promotions and bonuses can persuade her to lift her spirits. Despite restaurants now being in the affordable price range, she still insisted on eating at the IMM food court. She saw it as a fitting treat, but it made her claims of pride for dad seem less genuine. I could not accept it. I thought my dad deserved more than a plate of chicken rice as a reward. I rebelled and she responded so viciously, I was curious as to why she was still so desperate to save; determined to find answers to her behavior. I snuck into her room, searching for evidence until I found a newspaper clipping of a mansion tucked neatly beneath grocery receipts.

She finally did it. She achieved her lifelong ambition.  All I could do was watch as my university fund flowed down the drain of her signature on the paperwork for the private property. I shared a disappointed glance with dad when she suggested going to Crystal Jade to celebrate. I believed that the first time I would try such expensive cuisine; it would bring excitement to my taste buds. However, the taste of the aromatic soup sickened me. Now, whenever I look at the white marble mansion of a building my mother now calls her palace, I am reminded of the downcast look that dad bore when he was in the rut struggling to find a job. Everyone has the right to dream but I cannot enjoy the ‘big big smile’ she puts on as she dances through her fantasies in real life. Her achievements were attained with minimal effort: crying to dad for him to work harder and waiting for him to return with a bigger pay check. I hope that when her credit card finally gets denied as she attempts to buy Gucci, she will no longer be possessed by her materialism.

I trembled. Tears fell down my face as I scanned through my A-level results. The reflection of “ A “ beside all of my subjects caused a sense of joy and shock to explode within me. I whipped out my cell phone, calling my dad. I could almost visualize the look of amazement on his face as he chuckled and congratulated me. I am now free of worry for my dad. He no longer has to feel the pressure of the burden to provide me with funds for my education. I am soon to be sent on a scholarship from the government to Yale University. My only concern is my impending inability to mentally support him for the next two years.

I was elated. After two long years of being deprived of Nasi Lemak and Laksa, I was finally back! I was dying to see dad; his proud face as I walk through those house doors; his smile as I embrace him.  I suppose I was glad to be able to inquire about my mother’s wellbeing as well. I reached the front gate, ringing the doorbell. Expecting dad’s face to pop out from the door, I was disappointed to see my mother’s plastic features peer through. “ Where’s dad?” I asked, ignoring her attempts at small talk. “ At work.” The reply angered me. Why was mother still driving him? Did she not have enough treasures stored in her chest? Was she not satisfied? “ I keep asking him to retire but he always says no.” She sighed and I could see the regret creep over her face. She finally wanted prince charming to come home. I was lost for reasons but calmed down and remembered that when I was younger, I asked him what success to him was and he said, “ Watching you grow up and seeing you smile.” I then realized the reason he fought so hard to find a job and the reason he would not leave it.  Though my definition of success is still developing, I am certain it is founded on the one basic principle that motivated my dad and will motivate me: Love.

3rd: Wang Xin Bang Jordan, 14, Maris Stella High School

Struggling towards Success – Never Give Up

“You are a dummy! You are so stupid!” Ming Hao remembered as a group of so-called friends surrounded him and called him names. Tears streamed down his face mixed with beads of perspiration that have formed on his forehead. He stood there, not knowing how to react.

Ming Hao was diagnosed with autism since he was three years old. Characterised by impaired communication, he had difficulty socializing with others. Many of his classmates refused to make friends with him because of his disorder. Teachers gave up on him along the way as he was unable to keep up with the fast-paced education system inSingapore. Ming Hao could only count to ten when he was in Primary two and has never fared well for his tests and examinations.

When the world has forsaken him, Ming Hao’s parents have not. They showered him with care and concern and guided him slowly one step at a time so that he would not get confused in things that were difficult to understand. Some people have suggested that they let Ming Hao receive psychiatric treatment but without thinking, they would politely decline. It hurts them that they doubt their son’s sanity. They tried teaching him to talk more, to say things that he wanted – simple words like ice-cream. Over a period of watchful teaching, Ming Hao was able to speak simple English and say the things that he likes. His parent had not lost hope that their son would be successful when he grew up.

A few years have passed and Ming Hao was finally in the Primary six level. It was an important year to all students as it was the year that they would take their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Ming Hao was very determined to show to his parents and classmates that he was able to do well in his studies. Now, Ming Hao had grown to be friendlier with his classmates. His best friend, Brandon, was very willing to study after school with Ming Hao. Everyday, after school, while everyone goes home and rests, Ming Hao and Brandon would stay back and do their revision together in the library. Being one of the top students in the class,Brandonwould share tips with Ming Hao on mathematics, which Ming Hao was weak in. And Ming Hao would do the same toBrandonfor Chinese. Hence, Ming Hao had a greater understanding and did better for his tests.

Finally, it was time for the students to receive their preliminary exam results. Ming Hao glanced atBrandon. Turning to see Ming Hao looking at him,Brandongave him a thumbs- up and left a reassuring smile. Perspiration formed on Ming Hao’s hands as he waited in anticipation while his teacher, Mrs Tan, handed out the test papers. Different reactions appeared from the students who had received their papers. Some of them were smiling widely and jumping for joy while others sat at their seats with their heads hung low. Seeing this, Ming Hao felt as though there were butterflies in his stomach.Brandonreceived his paper, he took a look at his marks and said a “Yes!” to himself. Happy for his friend, Ming Hao forgot about his nervousness. Unknowingly, Mrs Tan placed his papers on his desk and announced to the class, “I am proud to say that Ming Hao has improved tremendously in his mathematics and has scored well with a 79 for the paper.” Still stunned, Ming Hao opened his mouth agape and received his paper. He stared at the number ‘79’ in disbelief. Hearing his class happily applauding and cheering for his results, Ming Hao gratefully said a “Thank You”.

Brandonscored 84. Almost automatically, Ming Hao broke into a big smile.With a good preliminary result, Ming Hao’s confidence level boosted.

It was the PSLE Math examination, Ming Hao felt totally different. He answered the questions easily, swiftly writing question after question, page after page. He bore in mind ‘All my hard work is for this’. One and a half hours passed by almost instantly. “Pens down! Stop writing!” the invigilator announced. “All’s done,” he muttered.

A few weeks passed by very quickly. All Primary six students assembled in the school hall. Ming Hao gazed at his parents who were seated at the back of the hall, seeing their worried faces. His heart beat escalated.

“Lee Ming Hao” his name was called. He could fell his heart almost leaped out of his mouth. He walked up slowly and received his result slip. He opened it. “Oh my god!” he said as he ran to his parents and showed them his result slip. Stated there was a bold ‘A’ for his math and a T-score of ‘233’. His parents’ faces reflected disbelief, then pride, then happiness. His grades had exceeded their greatest expectations in every way.

 Brandon asked Ming Hao how much he got. They exchanged results,Brandonhad obtained an ‘A star’ for his Math and a T-score of ‘254’. They congratulated each other and loudly yelled, “Success!”