A very good morning to our Guest of Honour, Mdm Susan Wang, Principal Mr Chia, Vice Principals Mr Bang, Mrs Wong and Mr Ang, distinguished guests, parents, teachers and friends. My name is Thaqif and I am honoured to be the Valedictorian this year.
First of all I would like to thank the school for giving me the opportunity to deliver the Valedictory Speech on behalf of my graduating batch. To my parents and sisters, my gratitude for their unwavering support as I journey through life. to the school leaders, my teachers and schoolmates, thanks for being a part of my 4 enriching years in Bedok Town Secondary.
My fellow school mates may be wondering what sets me apart to enable me to achieve the Best All round Student Award. My answer is simple. I am just like any other student. I have my fair share of challenges. But I overcame these challenges because in life, it is all about getting up when you are down trodden and never giving up. My intent of sharing my experiences is not to bag or boast but rather, I hope to move my juniors to overcome your share of challenges in life as well.
It felt like yesterday when I joined the school on 2nd January 2009. It was exactly 32 days after my four-year-old brother, Danish, succumbed to cancer. I stepped into the school with feelings of sadness and regret. Sadness - because my little brother could not witness my transition to secondary school. Regret - because I was looked down upon by many of my relatives, who felt that my PSLE result was disappointment.
The following years proved to be one of he most challenging period of my life. I grappled with additional subjects, extra workload as well as my responsibilities as a Student Councillor. Through it all, I must thank my family and teachers who never once gave up, never once stopped believing in me. Then, in December 2011, just a year before I was to sit for my 'O' level Examinations, I was diagnosed with a tumour in my nose. I was scared as my family had a medical history of cancer. My studies were affected and days went by with sleepless nights. I could hardly focus on any lesson and my morale was at an ultimate low.
Over the years I have learned that there are only two ways to handle a challenge. The first is to find a solution by praying and patiently persevering. The second is if the problem cannot be solved, then the solution is to acknowledge it, live with it and move on. In June 2012, I received the medical biopsy report that my tumour was benign and not cancerous. The doctors told me that if the tumour does not recede in a few years then it could become cancerous. I could finally focus on my 'O' level Examinations and make the people around me proud of my efforts. And I can safely say that my efforts have paid off.
Today, I realised that coming to this school was a blessing in disguise. Bedok Town Secondary has moulded me from a shy and timid child into a confident person through the leadership training I received and the guidance if great teachers. The school knew about the challenges I was facing and the teachers were very understanding and patient. I would like to thank the following teachers - Ms Cindy Tan now known as Mrs Lim, Mr Yap Kim Hon, Cikgu Azizah, Mr Anwar, Mrs Florence Tan, Mdm Norwita, Mr Desmond Tan, Mr Syed Danial and Mr Daniel Ng for being there for me especially in the year leading up to the 'O' Level Examinations. Thanks for being a family to me in a place I call my second home.
Before I end my speech, I have a message to all my juniors, Live yours dreams, never let anything stand between you and your dreams. No matter how tough things turn out for you, get up and keep moving on.
As Walt Disney once said, " If you can dream it, then you can do it."
I dreamt, and therefore I did.
Thank you.
