Essay Masterclass / References
Returning to Rio after living seven years abroad, I found myself part of yet another community: the British School. Studying at six different schools in three countries, I had a concrete image of what an ideal school would be. Although TBSRJ had many strengths, it needed to foster more school spirit, invest in extracurricular activities and better manage the free time in student’s schedules. As the Student Council Executive Team election approached, I saw the possibility of providing a fresh perspective and solving these problems.
After talking with relevant stakeholders - PTA, students, school administrators - we decided to create more spaces for student interaction to promote school spirit. After brainstorming locations for new activities, we concluded that adding a volleyball net and basketball hoops to an existing soccer court would make the space of better use for students. This change created a greater sense of community, as we began to see more people interacting with each other at break-times rather than sitting in silence on their individual phones. To increase access to extracurricular activities and provide alternatives for students during free periods, we created the STEM club. Students now had the opportunity to explore their passion for science in a hands-on manner, stimulating their curiosity and developing their knowledge.
I saw the opportunity to improve a place I had grown so fond of and was willing to translate my ideas into action. I intend to continue leaving behind my legacy and working to improve every community I become a part of.