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SSI students are developed to figure out, improve, and express their talents and interests to become globally competitive. SSI offers a set of options to every student to be able to express themselves better, these are the Interest Clubs (ICs) and Performing Arts Groups (PAGs). But oh no, the pandemic started, COVID cases rose and boom: PAG and IC disappeared when the students needed them most.
It’s unfortunate that most of the extracurricular activities had to take a break during the previous school year, since we were still adapting to the ODL environment. It truly is disappointing, but you should not fret! Both of these have returned, ladies and gentlemen!
The Curtains Rise for Performing Arts!
PAG seemed to have rested last year, but here they are again folks! Make way for the return of the PAGs! SSI was able to execute this despite the ODL because of their admirable commitment and of course— dedicated students.
PAGs are varsity groups that focus on performing arts, as the name implies. It started in the year 2000, and would annually perform during Christmas Tree Lighting (TLC) and Arts and, for the New Normal, the Arts and Music Festival (ARAM) outreach project. Aside from that, did you know that there were 7 PAGs while we were still having face-to-face classes, but in its revival this school year, it decreased down to 6 during ODL?
It may come off as simple on how SSI prepared the PAG, but nope— it was not that simple. SSI’s problem while setting everything up was how would they convince more students to join, which is quite understandable because students may not find it interesting during ODL. But, there are still those who are dedicated to auditioning for PAG. Although, most of the groups only had a small number of people— not like it’s a negative thing of course!
PAGs were offered once again, for SSI believes that these groups are made for students to figure out their skills & talents. They showcase one’s passion and Multiple Intelligences that are present in students. They also motivate them to build their skills & talents, so that they will be able to live up with that confidence, to know their uniqueness and to be able to prepare them to be globally competitive. Hmm, it made me consider auditioning next year.
A Second Look at the Interest Clubs
Although it may have taken a break too, the Interest Club hype is back on track once again this school year! Seems like most students have an overwhelming excitement this year, based on experience.
ICs are a variety of clubs that promote different sorts of things that engage the student’s interests, that’s why they’re called “Interest Clubs”! Obviously, there were adjustments made to make them fitting for ODL. Would you stand up in front of your Zoom tab while serving a shuttlecock to your screen? I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t. Due to the online distance learning limitations, ICs decreased from 35 to 17.
Yes, it’s saddening, but 17 is better than nothing, we have to consider SSI also experienced some challenges in setting up all of these. It was mainly in creating the perfect schedule, and how each IC Zoom detail was to be distributed to students, and oh my, it was hard work, for those Zoom details were distributed and done manually in Genyo, just imagine how long that must’ve taken. It sure was tough… but worth it!
ICs were brought back since SSI is aware that academics can be pretty tiresome, especially during ODL. Don’t deny it readers: academics and projects are quite tiring. The whole purpose of ICs is to be able to fit every student’s interest so that they are able to develop themselves not just academically, but through their own interests while having tons of fun. They are also created so students are able to communicate with one another to create bonds. No doubt that most students can agree ICs made school years 20x more enjoyable and fun.
SSI continues on to attain their vision and do their mission, even with these major adjustments and limitations because they aim for students to have fun and develop themselves, learn more about their character, and to be able to break that monotonous atmosphere during academic days.
Despite the adjustments and limitations, despite the ODL, the excitement hearing the IC session announcements, the excitement during events, is still felt up to this day.
