Today was special. And unusual. It was the day the Sec 1s were coming to join us for their first official Red Cross 'training'. Many fun-filled activities would be lined up for them! The first Sec 1 Red Cross orientation 2010 would be a fun and enjoyable one, so we thought.
Some two sec 1s were punctual and arrived before the starting time (2pm). All of us thought that this year's batch was so small... Fortunately, the 13 others arrived and settled down. The day was packed with some interesting activities and some totally pointless ones. This was not expected as we thought that the orientation for the Sec 1s would be more exciting as it was last year.
After the Sec 1s were dismissed, some of the Sec 2 cadets had to stay back for a short meeting regarding the Foot Drill Competition. Everyone in the 'elite' squad did not realise anything strange about this meeting at first. Well, we usually had many of these meetings or discussions regarding the FDC (Foot Drill Competition). But this time was unusual. We entered the Red Cross room to have our meeting, which was uncommon as the Red Cross room was only allowed for seniors. We had barely or never stepped a foot in the room before.
The discussion started with a serious tone. Our chairman raised the question of pulling out of the competition. (!) We gasped in horror and muttered a few shocked words to the persons sitting beside us. Why did he ask us if we wanted to pull out? Were our drills that awful? Was there no chance of winning at all? After the unusual and electrifying question, the chairman told us the reasons for raising the topic:
Firstly, our drills were not up to standard compared to other school. It was not even as good as the Sec 3s. Why should we enter the competition and disgrace ourselves?
Secondly, most of us are unwilling to sacrifice our study time and our personal time. If we had trainings everyday and had tonnes of homework to complete after 5.30pm+, wouldn't YOU think twice? We would probably not be able to cope and would feel completely drained and stressed.
Thirdly, what if we trained hard and put in all that we have and fail to attain the champion's title due to other schools being better? All our time would be wasted and perhaps then, our results are deproving, wouldn't we have had thrown away everything?
Hence, the atmosphere tensed up and became rather awkward. The chairman asked us to think carefully about it and report to him the next day. Dismissed, we gathered at the school canteen and started a 'debate'. Most of us were unwilling to spend any more time to be, possibly, wasted and decided that they would want to pull out. I felt that it was too time consuming. And sacrificing my studies and a bright future just for a trophy and a title wasn't worth it at all. We took a small vote and came to a decision that we would pull out, although some were still keen to participate in the competition. (I was slightly regretful too.) We felt that it would be better for us to go our own ways and come for normal Red Cross trainings once a week. But all will change after this drastic decision.
Many twists and changes were unexpected. This shows how complicated life is. What an unusual day!
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