(Originally a Facebook note on my profile)
…A short foreword if you could indulge me for a moment 
When I first started, I hated making speeches. For my first speech about one year ago on Prometheum Day, I wrote seven drafts, consulted a fair number of seniors, and bugged lots of people afterwards about how it went. I was shaking before, during, and for some time after the speech. I guess I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to say.
Anyway, for this speech, I took about an hour to write it in one draft, with a few minor edits with friends afterwards – not because I was pressed for time or that I didn’t care anymore (although really, most of these speeches are for the event itself, not meant to rally a crowd in the heat of the moment and spur us onto action). Really, it all came out so easily because not only was I without the pressure of wanting to prove myself or caring how it went, I had long found what I really wanted to say. Everything I said, I said it because I wanted to say it, not because I thought it was what I had to say. It makes all the difference, really.
And for that I want to thank everyone – juniors, friends, seniors, everyone who have supported me through the early starting days when I did not know how to even begin, the times when I screwed up (I DID say I hate speaking in front of large crowds, yes pledge/rpoh/etc.), the times when we faced all sorts of crap from all sorts of people. We all start from nothing, and I will always believe that I would have remained nothing without all of you – that again, position is but a title for a short period of time. And I will always, always, be forever grateful for that.
Prometheum Day Speech 2012
Perhaps it was the first time we saw the Unite cheer, performed by more than a hundred PSLs cheering in unison on the first day of Orientation Camp. Or maybe it was at the end of a long, tiring day at CCA – PE kit drenched with sweat, muscles aching, sitting at the stadium steps watching the seniors go for another round around the track. It could even be in the quiet of late evening, talking about the future with a close mentor. It was during these times that we saw leadership for what it really was.
And before we know it, we’re standing in front of our school, our juniors, and our peers – as leaders. It’s then that we realize what we’ve known all along; that countless others have gone through this process of growing up to take up responsibilities and leadership, and most importantly of all, this journey is still ours, and ours alone, to make. Each batch brings to the school a unique ethos, yet we are always conscious that it will be only a year before the next generation takes over. As with many things, leadership is a cycle; those who follow step up because of the inspiration and example of their previous leaders. Today, we witness yet another beginning, and end, of this cycle.
None of us were born leaders; we didn’t walk into Year One ready to “lead”. I was not a prefect in my previous school and most of us only knew leaders as just that – prefects, monitors, Prime Ministers – people with position. But we very quickly learn that leadership is not about that. Leadership is about connecting with people. Leadership is about influence. Leadership is about empathy for the people you lead. A close mentor who influences your own life decisions is a hundred times a leader for you then the person who just tells you what to do in life. Leadership is not about people with greater positions telling lesser mortals what to do. You and I, we all have greatness within us; leadership is simply what brings out that greatness in everyone to achieve a common goal. Which is why today we will be honoring not just CCALs and ACCALs, but also those seniors who have been a positive influences on our lives.
At the end every journey, we would have made many wonderful memories together, not just constructed in the joy of victory, but forged in times of trial and challenge. Please join me as we recount our most important memories as SLs.
(Video montage)
Barely a year ago, us student leaders were staggering up the slope just right beside this hall for the finale of our 42km hike over two days and a sleepless night. In our hands we gripped on to lamps, and the flames within represented not just the Promethean Flame, but also our spirit and promise and hope for the future. We now hand on this hope to the next batch of leaders, not just those appointed as student leaders but leaders – whether Year 1 or Year 3, captain or monitor, photographer or scout. On behalf of the batch of 2011, I wish the new leaders the best of luck in their journey, and that you will learn the values and truth behind true leadership. I also thank all our teachers, seniors and peers who have made this journey all the more powerful for all of us.
And so, for the very last time, Auspicium Melioris Aevi.
Thank you.
yes, some bang it was indeed.
the hall almost went bang, and so would have half the SLs.
It would’ve been all the new SLs if we hadn’t decided to not bring up the house flags. You do know I titled it like that on purpose..