Last September 2007, there was a musical – oratorical tilt in our school. Being the Grade VI adviser, I gave an all out support to my advisory class. I provided some of the pieces for both declamation and oration. I trained them for free. Two weeks before the contest, I was informed by the dancers that they did not have the steps for their dance yet. So, I became an instant choreographer.

I was a strict and meticulous trainer and choreographer. I was very particular about the details in their execution. I wanted them to be very serious with what they were into. Two days before the competition, I got sick. I was very stressed too. I got absent for two days and I was still groggy and hoarse during the competition. I did not feel like reporting. Just as the contest was about to begin, I received a call from a colleague. She told me that my student badly needed my support. Upon hearing it, I hurried to school. I watched their performances. I was a bit happy fir them except for our vocal solo entry.

When the results were announced for declamation and oration, I was very happy. My two pupils won the top two spots in oration. My other pupil won the top spot in declamation. My dance group was declared the over – all winner in the modern dance competition. It was a toast between the Grade V and the Grade VI groups. The Grade V group was trained by a professional dancer so I did not expect to win but I just challenged my pupils to give their best performance. But we won.

It was really a great experience for me. I had never felt that I was an effective declamation or oration trainer. Never had I imagined that I could train a group of dancers and they won.